below stairs

prepositional phrase4

1. •
   (UK, historical) In or pertaining to the lowest levels of a large house where the house staff work and are accommodated, contrasted with above stairs where the owning family reside.

   • It vvas his younger Sisters Chamber, that I vvas in, and as there vvas no Body in the House, but the Maids belovv Stairs, he vvas it may be the ruder: […] — 1722
2. •
   (UK, historical) The areas of a large house in which house staff work, or the staff that work there.
3. •
   (old-fashioned) On a floor lower than the one a speaker currently occupies; below the main floor of a multi-floor building.

   • I’le lock her into her Sister’s Room below Stairs, for to night, there’s no Balcony there. — 1691
4. •
   Common, vulgar.

   • A paragon must embody liberal democracy. To get its hands dirty defending it is below-stairs. — 2023