expression, i-adjective
no hope of getting ahead; unable to rise in the world
Idiomatic expression describing a person who seems stuck in a low position with little chance of advancement or success.
See also: うだつの上がらない
彼はいつもうだつが上がらない仕事ばかりしている。
He's always stuck in dead-end jobs.
あの人はうだつが上がらないまま定年を迎えた。
That person reached retirement age without ever getting ahead.