kick upstairs

verb

1. informal.
   tr, adverb to promote to a nominally higher but effectively powerless position

Idioms and Phrases

Promote someone to a higher but less desirable position, especially one with less authority. For example, Paul never forgave the company for kicking him upstairs at age 55 . This expression alludes to its antonym, kick downstairs , simply meaning “eject.” [Mid-1900s]