Definition
To promote someone to a new position that appears to be more senior but actually has less real power, often done to remove them from a position where they are causing problems.
明升暗降（通常是為了防止被升職者製造麻煩）
After their constant complaining, the manager decided to kick them upstairs and put them in charge of a project with no real power.
在他們不斷抱怨之後，經理決定將他們明升暗降，讓他們負責一個沒有實權的專案。
She was kicked upstairs to a newly created position that sounded great but had no budget or staff.
她被明升暗降到一個新創的職位，聽起來很棒，但沒有預算或員工。
The company kicked him upstairs to an advisory role with no power to remove his threat to senior management.
公司將他明升暗降到一個顧問角色，沒有權力來消除他對高層管理的威脅。