The Language of Verticality

Phrases and sayings that convey the natural vertical hierarchy in our everyday lives.

Height and verticality are closely tied to language. We have many phrases and sayings that convey the natural vertical hierarchy in our everyday lives. These generally align with the idea that high equals positive or good and low equals negative or bad. I've been building a list of these expressions for some time now, and it follows below. It's an ongoing effort, and I'll add to it over time as I encounter new ones. Have one to add to the list? Let me know in the comments section below!

Feelings and mental states
   On cloud nine
   Feeling/flying high
   Raise your spirits
   My spirits have been lifted
   Feeling down/depressed
   Down in the dumps
   Hold your head up high

Morals
   High and low morals
   Take the high road
   Bring me up/down to your level
   Look down on
   Low-life

Class
   High class
   Middle class
   Lower class

Superiority
   Up in his ivory tower
   On his high horse
   Shoot you down
   Condescension
   It's lonely at the top
   Bottom-feeder

Military/defense
   Take the high ground

Shelter
   A roof above my head

Journey or Success/Failure
   Climb the mountain
Reach the summit
   Started at the bottom
   At the top of the mountain
   The sky’s the limit
   Things are looking up
   Shoot for the stars
   Moving up in the world
   Climb the corporate/social ladder
   Fall off the horse/wagon
   Fall from grace

Physical height
   Short man syndrome
   Napoleon complex

Latin Connections
   Super-, meaning above; superior, superb, supervise, supersede, supernal
   Sub-, meaning under, below or beneath; subordinate, subhuman,
submissive, subjugate