# sell down

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/sell-down
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To betray a person; to conspire against someone for personal gain.

## Examples

- He sold his partner down the river for a promotion.
- The manager sold his team down the river to save his own job during the budget cuts.
- After years of loyal service, the politician felt betrayed when his closest allies sold him down the river to secure their own political futures.

## Origin

Shortening of sell down the river

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.