Sold down the river

Meaning

Betrayed or treated unfairly.

Usage

Used to describe betrayal by someone trusted.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Slavery-era practice of selling enslaved people down the Mississippi River.

Published in antislavery literature by the 19th century.