"Selling down the river" is an idiomatic expression that originated from the practice of slave trade in the United States during the 19th century. The phrase carries a metaphorical connotation and is used to describe an act of betraying or sacrificing someone's interests or welfare for personal gain or convenience. It emphasizes the idea of betraying someone's trust or abandoning them to a negative or harmful fate.
The phrase's literal meaning refers to the act of selling a slave down the Mississippi River, hence "down the river," to plantations in the deep South. This practice, prevalent before the American Civil War, involved profiting from the sale of slaves who were then subjected to severe and cruel conditions on the plantations.
In a broader and figurative context, "selling down the river" means to betray or deceive someone, often for personal gain or to avoid consequences or difficulties. It implies breaking a promise or abandoning someone when they need support or protection the most.
The phrase is commonly used to convey a sense of betrayal, where one person sacrifices another's well-being, interests, or principles for their own benefit. It emphasizes the unjust and untrustworthy nature of the action, highlighting the negative consequences for the person being betrayed or exploited.
Overall, "selling down the river" encapsulates the sentiment of betrayal, abandonment, and the exploitation of trust for selfish motives.
