upright

Everyday

1. Upright means standing or sitting straight up, not lying down or leaning. tree →
2. An upright person is honest and good. tree →
3. An upright is a post that stands straight up, like the side posts of a goal. tree →
4. An upright piano is a tall piano that stands against a wall. tree →

In the lessons

In maths and science, upright means vertical: at a right angle to the ground; a shape or object «stands upright». In safety: keep bottles upright so they don't spill; sit upright in a car seat; in first aid, someone with a nosebleed should sit upright and lean forward. On planes: «return your seats to the upright position». Phrases: «sit upright», «stand upright», «keep upright», «bolt upright» (suddenly very straight).

Examples

• Sit upright at your desk. tree →
• Keep the bottle upright so it doesn't leak. tree →
• The tree was still upright after the storm. tree →
• The ball hit the upright and bounced back. tree →
• She sat bolt upright when she heard the noise. tree →
• He is an upright and honest man. tree →
• We have an upright piano in the hall. tree →
• Penguins walk upright on two feet. tree →
• Then the bearskin fell away from them, and they stood upright once more. tree →

Note

One word. «Upright» is similar to «vertical» and «straight up»; the opposite is «lying down» or «horizontal». «Upright» can also mean honest, but that use is a bit formal. Do not mix up with «uptight» (nervous, tense).

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah, "upright" describes honest people, as when Joseph's brothers say they are upright men and not spies. In the Psalms and Job it names good people whom God judges fairly and saves.

Interpretation. The Hebrew word is "kenim," meaning honest or true. The tradition notes that the brothers claimed honesty, while Joseph tested whether they had really changed. In the Psalms, God is read as saving the upright in heart.

Examples

• And we said unto him: We are upright men; we are no spies. (Torah GEN.42.31, JPS 1917) tree →
• We are all one man's sons; we are upright men, thy servants are no spies.' (Torah GEN.42.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• if ye be upright men, let one of your brethren be bound in your prison-house; but go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses; (Torah GEN.42.19, JPS 1917) tree →
• Or where were the upright cut off? (Writings JOB.4.7, JPS 1917) tree →
• Righteous art Thou, O LORD, and upright are Thy judgments. (Writings PSA.119.137, JPS 1917) tree →
• My shield is with God, who saveth the upright in heart. (Writings PSA.7.11, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

One word. «Upright» is similar to «vertical» and «straight up»; the opposite is «lying down» or «horizontal». «Upright» can also mean honest, but that use is a bit formal. Do not mix up with «uptight» (nervous, tense).