What does "river" mean?

See river in WNW Idioms

sell down the river

Etymology: from the former selling of slaves to plantations on the lower Mississippi

to betray, deceive, abuse, etc.

up the river

Etymology: from the sending of convicts up the Hudson River from New York to Sing Sing

Slang

to or confined in a penitentiary

See river in American Heritage Dictionary 4 Idioms

up the river

Slang

In or into prison.

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