"Send up the river" is a common idiomatic expression that means to send someone to prison. The spelling of this phrase can be broken down using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). "Send" is pronounced /sɛnd/, with the "e" being pronounced like the "e" in "red." "Up" is pronounced /ʌp/, with the "u" being pronounced like the "u" in "hut." "The" is pronounced /ði/, with the "th" being pronounced as a voiced dental fricative. And finally, "river" is pronounced /ˈrɪvər/, with stress on the first syllable and a silent e at the end.
The phrase "send up the river" is an idiomatic expression that originated in the United States and is commonly used in colloquial English. The phrase carries a figurative meaning and is typically used in informal contexts.
To "send up the river" means to send someone to prison or jail, especially for a long period of time. The phrase draws its origin from the practice of transporting prisoners on boats or barges up the Hudson River to incarceration facilities, such as Sing Sing Prison, located upstream from New York City. Consequently, the phrase became synonymous with imposing severe punishment or severe sentencing.
The term can also be used metaphorically, signifying the act of betraying or deceiving someone, which leads to negative consequences or some kind of punishment. In this sense, it implies causing someone harm or placing them in a difficult situation.
"Send up the river" is often employed in casual conversations or fictional narratives to indicate punishment or retribution. Its usage can be inferred in various contexts, such as discussing legal matters, criminal activities, or personal disputes.
Overall, "send up the river" is an idiomatic expression that denotes the act of sending someone to prison for a significant period, or metaphorically, betraying someone to their detriment.