kick upstairs
Promote to remove
To kick someone upstairs is to promote them to a position of higher rank but less actual power or influence—a way of removing them from consequential work without the awkwardness of firing or demoting them.
The new title sounds better; the real authority diminishes.
After the merger, they kicked him upstairs to "senior advisor" where he couldn't cause trouble.
Height above reference point
- advancementForward movement or promotion
- prefermentPromotion to higher rank
- appointmentScheduled time for something
- upgradingImproving to superior version
ascension · recognition · corner office · executive suite · board seat · figurehead · ceremonial role · sinecure
Relegation to powerless periphery
- benchingRemoving from active play
- sideliningRemoving from participation
- pigeonholingAssigning to narrow categories
- deskillingReducing job complexity
underutilization · window seat · pasture · shelf · limbo · neutralization · defanging
Lucrative exit agreement
- outplacementJob-search help for terminated employees
- reassignmentShifting to new duties
- restructuringRearranging an existing framework
- reshufflingRearranging positions or elements
graceful exit · soft landing · compensation package · severance
Official foreign representative
- envoyAccredited diplomatic representative
- peerageSystem of noble ranks
- House of LordsBritain's senior parliamentary body
- cabinet reshuffleReassigning ministerial positions
honorary consul · party elder · backbencher · committee chair · czar · governor
elevation
Height above reference point
- advancementForward movement or promotion
- prefermentPromotion to higher rank
- appointmentScheduled time for something
upgrading · ascension · recognition · corner office · executive suite · board seat · figurehead · ceremonial role · sinecure · emeritus
marginalization
Relegation to powerless periphery
- benchingRemoving from active play
- sideliningRemoving from participation
- pigeonholingAssigning to narrow categories
deskilling · underutilization · window seat · pasture · shelf · limbo · neutralization · defanging
golden parachute
Lucrative exit agreement
- outplacementJob-search help for terminated employees
- reassignmentShifting to new duties
- restructuringRearranging an existing framework
reshuffling · graceful exit · soft landing · compensation package · severance
ambassador
Official foreign representative
- envoyAccredited diplomatic representative
- peerageSystem of noble ranks
- House of LordsBritain's senior parliamentary body
cabinet reshuffle · honorary consul · party elder · backbencher · committee chair · czar · governor