The company has had its ups and downs - truly, fortunes shift like a river's course.
Tips
history
The image comes from the historical wandering of the Yellow River, which has shifted its course many times - towns once on the east bank found themselves on the west a generation later. Cited in Qing-era novel 《儒林外史》 (The Scholars) by 吴敬梓 chapter 46.
usage
Used to comfort the down-and-out (your turn will come) or to warn the high-and-mighty (don't get too comfortable).
