down the river
idiom
: in the same direction as the river is flowing
Large boats came down the river.
Examples of down the river in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Long an obstacle to humans seeking to continue down the river, the Falls of the Ohio offer a peek into prehistoric life.
—
Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Oct. 2025
De Luna, the Alamo resident, said boat services that locals use to move across and up and down the river were suspended, cutting off some river communities.
—Fortune Editors, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
The locks and dams were installed nearly a century ago on the Upper Mississippi River so that boats hauling freight up and down the river could have easier passage.
—Elliot Mann, Twin Cities, 4 Oct. 2025
Other ways to experience the falls include the Macuco Safari, which sends you on a Jeep ride through the rainforest, followed by a speedboat ride down the river, and a Full Moon Walking Tour, a nighttime trek to see the rare lunar rainbow.
—Jennifer Kester, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for down the river
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Oct. 2025
De Luna, the Alamo resident, said boat services that locals use to move across and up and down the river were suspended, cutting off some river communities.
—Fortune Editors, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025
The locks and dams were installed nearly a century ago on the Upper Mississippi River so that boats hauling freight up and down the river could have easier passage.
—Elliot Mann, Twin Cities, 4 Oct. 2025
Other ways to experience the falls include the Macuco Safari, which sends you on a Jeep ride through the rainforest, followed by a speedboat ride down the river, and a Full Moon Walking Tour, a nighttime trek to see the rare lunar rainbow.
—Jennifer Kester, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for down the river
Cite this Entry
“Down the river.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/down%20the%20river. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share