sell down the river: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘sell down the river’ mean?
The idiom "sell down the river" means to betray or deceive someone, especially for personal gain or to avoid trouble, by putting them in a difficult or disadvantageous situation, often without their knowledge or consent.
Idiom Explorer
"Sell the pass" is an idiom that means to betray or deceive someone, especially for personal gain. The origin of the idiom comes from historical military strategies where a pass (a narrow path through mountains or hills) would be strategically sold by a person to the opposing army, allowing them to gain access and defeat their own side. The idiom is often used to describe situations where someone betrays their own team, group, or allies.
The idiom "sell someone a bill of goods" means to deceive or mislead someone, especially by making false or exaggerated claims about a product or service.
The idiom "sell down" means to reduce or decrease the number or amount of something that is being sold. It typically refers to selling stocks or shares in a company.
The idiom "sell dearly" means to fight or resist strongly in a situation, particularly when faced with a disadvantage or loss. It implies that one should make every effort to protect their interests and not give up easily.
The idiom "sell bargains" refers to the act of convincing someone to buy something at a lower or discounted price. It implies the skill or ability to negotiate a better deal for the buyer.
The idiom "sell one's body" means engaging in sexual activities in exchange for money. It is a euphemism for prostitution and implies the act of using one's body as a commodity for financial gain.
The idiom "sail under false colors" means to conceal one's true intentions or identity, often by pretending to be someone or something else.
The idiom "rob Peter to pay Paul" means to take something away from one person or thing to give it to another, especially when both parties are negatively affected by the transaction.
The idiom "rip off" means to take or steal something from someone in a dishonest or unfair way, often by charging a much higher price for something than it is worth.
Unveiling a River of Betrayal
The idiom "sell down the river" has its origins in the United States during the time of slavery in the 19th century.
The phrase is derived from the practice of selling enslaved individuals, particularly from the Upper South, down the Mississippi River to plantation owners in the Deep South. This practice was known as "sell the pass" or "sell down".
The idiom "sell down the river" is believed to have originated in the African American community, as it was the enslaved African Americans who were most affected by the practice.
The phrase later gained wider usage among the general population and became a common expression in American English. Today, it can be used in a broader sense, referring to any act of betrayal or deception. Despite its historical origins and the painful associations it carries, the phrase remains a common expression in contemporary American English.
The figurative meaning of "sell down the river" is to betray someone or to act in a way that is harmful to their interests.
The idiom implies a sense of betrayal and abandonment, drawing parallel to the experience of enslaved individuals being sold to unknown territories, far away from their families and familiar surroundings.
The idiom "sell down the river" is an example of how language reflects and preserves the historical and social dynamics of a particular time period.
It sheds light on the experiences of enslaved individuals and the injustices they endured. By examining the etymology of idioms like this one, we gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of our language and the historical events that shape it.
In exploring the meaning and origins of "sell down the river," we uncover a powerful narrative of betrayal and exploitation.
The idiom serves as a stark reminder of the injustices of the past and the importance of acknowledging and learning from them. As we continue to use and interpret idioms like this, we must remain mindful of the weight they carry and the lessons they offer.
Example usage
1. After promising to support his friend, John betrayed him and sold him down the river by revealing all of his secrets to their competitors.
2. The manager sold down the river his most loyal employees by firing them without any valid reason, leaving them in a precarious situation.
3. The greedy politician was willing to sell down the river the interests of the people in order to secure a lucrative deal for himself.
More "Betrayal" idioms
