go down the river—
1. (coll.) slowly decay and fall to pieces through neglect:
- “Mike’s car has gone down the river.” “I thought the champion was wealthy,” said Mr. Queen. “Not any more.”
2. (U.S. hist.) go into slavery:
- Percy Driscoll slept well the night he saved his house-minions from going down the river.
go up the river—(sl.) be imprisoned:
- Lager-beer had come up since I went up the river.