明升暗降 [- shēnɡ àn jiànɡ]apparently ascended but actually descended — degradation instead of promotion; promote sb. in name but demote him in reality; apparent promotion but real demotion; kick sb. upstairs:
•¶ 理事会决定将该公司的总经理明升暗降。 The board of trustees decided to kick the president of the company upstairs.