Definition

1. Noun:

   • A person who has suddenly risen to a higher economic or social status but has not gained social acceptance from others in that class: An individual, often perceived as lacking the appropriate background or manners, who has recently acquired wealth, power, or position.
   • An arrogant or presumptuous person: Someone who behaves in a cocky or disrespectful manner, often due to a newfound sense of importance.
   • (Gymnastics) A gymnastic exercise: A movement starting from a position with the legs over the upper body and moving to an erect stance by arching the back and swinging the legs down.

2. Adjective:

   • Characteristic of an upstart: Describing someone or something that has risen suddenly and appears presumptuous or lacking in the social graces appropriate to the new position.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Person):
  • The old aristocracy viewed the wealthy industrialist as a mere upstart.
  • He was dismissed as an arrogant upstart who didn't understand the company's traditions.
• Noun (Gymnastics):
  • The coach made us practice upstarts on the parallel bars.
• Adjective:
  • His upstart behavior offended the senior members of the club.
  • They resented his upstart ambitions.

Advanced Usage

• Used attributively: The term is often used before a noun to describe the nature of a person or their actions.
  • The board rejected the upstart company's hostile takeover attempt.
• Historical/Class context: The word often carries connotations of social class and the challenge to established hierarchies.
  • The novel explores the tensions between old money and the new upstart families.

Variants and Related Words

• Upstartism (n, rare): The quality or behavior characteristic of an upstart.
• Parvenu (n): A synonym for a person who has recently gained wealth or status (often used interchangeably with 'upstart', though 'parvenu' is more directly focused on wealth).
• Nouveau riche (n): A French term meaning "new rich," referring to people who have recently acquired wealth, typically used to imply a lack of sophistication.

Synonyms

• Arriviste: A person who has recently arrived in a social class or sphere of activity, especially one who is aggressively ambitious.
• Social climber: A person who seeks to improve their social status.
• Presumptuous person: Someone who is overly forward or bold.

Related Phrases

• To be seen as an upstart: To be perceived in this negative light.
  • Despite his success, he was always seen as an upstart by the old guard.
• Upstart mentality: An attitude characterized by bold ambition and disregard for established norms.
  • The industry was transformed by a wave of upstart mentality.

Idioms

• No idiom is exclusively formed with the single word "upstart." However, the concept is central to phrases like:
  • "The upstart challenging the establishment": A common narrative describing a newcomer disrupting traditional powers.

Adjective

1. characteristic of someone who has risen economically or socially but lacks the social skills appropriate for this new position

Noun

1. a gymnastic exercise performed starting from a position with the legs over the upper body and moving to an erect position by arching the back and swinging the legs out and down while forcing the chest upright
2. a person who has suddenly risen to a higher economic status but has not gained social acceptance of others in that class
3. an arrogant or presumptuous person