Ups a daisy


A saying, usually to a child, after a stumble or fall, to encourage them to get up. (ups is a variant of whoops).

Ooh, Tommy the toddler, fallen over again have you? Never mind – ups a daisy and let’s try again.

America, 20th century. The expression sounds old and English, but it isn’t.

Worldwide, but considered dated and coy by many.

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.