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to sell somebody down the river
01
to be unfaithful or disloyal to someone so as to gain profit oneself
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Disapproving
Idiom
InformalWhat is the origin of the idiom "sell someone down the river" and when to use it?
The idiom "sell someone down the river" has its roots in the history of slavery in the United States. It dates back to the 19th century when it was used to describe a betrayal or a severe act of deception. In the context of slavery, "down the river" referred to the deep South, where conditions for enslaved people were often harsher. It implies that the betrayal is severe and often involves dire consequences for the individual being betrayed. This idiom emphasizes the feeling of being let down or placed in a difficult and disadvantageous position.
Example
I ca n't believe my business partner sold me down the river by stealing company funds and disappearing.
He promised to support our cause, but he ended up selling us down the river by revealing our plans to our opponents.
