How is “kick upstairs” used?

In GoodFellas (1990), one line is: “He kicked some money upstairs to Paulie, but that was it.”

Which movie is “kick upstairs” from?

The clip at the top of this page is from GoodFellas (1990).

Modismo

to move sb to a job that seems to be more important but which actually has less power or influence

informal · Se oye en 3 películas

kick sb upstairs
to move sb to a job that seems to be more important but which actually has less power or influence

Definiciones del Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, 9.ª edición

He kicked some money upstairs to Paulie, but that was it.

En 3 películas · n.º 1