up the river

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word up the river. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word up the river, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say up the river in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word up the river you have here. The definition of the word up the river will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofup the river, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Etymology

A reference to Sing Sing prison, which is located on the Hudson river, to the north of (and upstream from) New York City.

Pronunciation

Prepositional phrase

up the river

  1. (US, idiomatic) To prison.
    • 1990 July 21, “Pete Rose: He doesn't belong in the Hall of Fame”, in Dallas Morning News, retrieved 23 September 2010:
      The former baseball player that Cincinnati idolized is being sent up the river to Ashland, Ky., to serve a prison term for cheating on his taxes.

Usage notes

  • Often preceded by the verb to send.

Translations

See also