Delaware crossing

Washington's Christmas voyage

Delaware crossing refers to George Washington's famous 1776 military maneuver, crossing the icy Delaware River on Christmas night to surprise Hessian forces at Trenton.

The phrase evokes bold, decisive action taken against long odds: The startup's pivot was their Delaware crossing—risky but transformative.

Emanuel Leutze's 1851 painting has made the image iconic in American culture.

WashingtonU.S. seat of government
General WashingtonColonial military commander
TrentonNew Jersey's capital city
American RevolutionColonial separation from Britain
ChristmasWinter nativity celebration

1776 · ice · river · boats · soldiers · surprise · sneak attack · attack · winter · night · Pennsylvania · New Jersey · painting · Hessians · battle · patriot · oars · freezing

Opposites

military action/initiative

Delaware crossingretreat

Sanctuary or withdrawal

withdrawal · surrender · falling back · rout · evacuation

leadership symbolism

Delaware crossingcapitulation

Complete yielding to demands

defeatism · indecision · timidity · hesitation

outcome/momentum

Delaware crossingValley Forge

1777-78 military headquarters

Family

Delaware, crossing, cross, crossed, crosses, crosser, crossings

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Mostly American · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G