down the hatch

down the hatch

1. (informal) Into the mouth and down the throat, especially with regard to the consumption of a beverage.
   • 1943 March 22, “AIR: You've Had It”, in Time, retrieved 7 February 2010:

     In Cairo, the New York Herald Tribune's correspondent, John ("Tex") O'Reilly, found U.S. soldiers no less infected with the new English language: "When two Americans are having a drink they no longer shout ‘Down the hatch!’ They raise their glasses and say ‘Cheers’ in modulated tones."

   • 2008 January 30, Paul Lukas, “Gluttonous Rite Survives Without Silverware”, in New York Times, retrieved 7 February 2010:

     As waiters brought trays of meat, the guests reached over and harvested the pink slices with their bare hands, popping them down the hatch.

• over the river