Man Upstairs

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Meaning · English

God.

Register: humorous, slang

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

A rhapsodic inquiry greets us from the TV screen and the radio: "Have you talked to the Man Upstairs?" God is a friendly neighbor who dwells in the apartment just above. Call on him any time, especially if you are feeling a little blue.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “Man Upstairs” mean?

God.

Is “Man Upstairs” formal or informal?

Man Upstairs is generally humorous, slang.