sandbag

American  

[sand-bag] / ˈsændˌbæg /

noun

1. a bag filled with sand, used in fortification, as ballast, etc.

2. such a bag used as a weapon.

---

verb (used with object)

sandbagged, sandbagging

1. to furnish with sandbags.

2. to hit or stun with a sandbag.

3. Informal.

   1. to set upon violently; attack from or as if from ambush.

   2. to coerce or intimidate, as by threats.

      The election committee was sandbagged into nominating the officers for a second term.

   3. to thwart or cause to fail or be rejected, especially surreptitiously or without warning.

      He sandbagged our proposal with his snide remarks to the boss.

4. 1. Poker. to deceive (one or more opponents) into remaining in the pot by refraining from betting on a strong hand, then raising the bet in a later round.

   2. Informal. to gain an advantage over (one or more competitors) by concealing one's abilities or other strengths early in a game or other competitive activity.

   3. Informal. to gain an advantage by concealing or downplaying the strengths of (something).

      companies that sandbag their earnings estimates and then easily beat them to make everyone happy.

verb (used without object)

sandbagged, sandbagging

1. 1. Poker. to sandbag one or more opponents.

   2. Informal. to sandbag an opponent or competitor.

      guys that sandbag and fall back a little in the first race to get a better starting spot in the second.

sandbag British  

/ ˈsændˌbæɡ /

noun

1. a sack filled with sand used for protection against gunfire, floodwater, etc, or as ballast in a balloon, ship, etc

2. a bag filled with sand and used as a weapon

---

verb

1. to protect or strengthen with sandbags

2. to hit with or as if with a sandbag

3. finance to obstruct (an unwelcome takeover bid) by prolonging talks in the hope that an acceptable bidder will come forward

Other Word Forms

• sandbagger noun

Etymology

Origin of sandbag

First recorded in 1580–90; sand + bag

Example Sentences

Starting any new car company in America, let alone an electric one, requires uncanny maneuvering and persistence against every kind of bureaucratic, regulatory and political sandbagging.

From The Wall Street Journal

Crews fill sandbags, piling them in front of buildings.

From Literature

My legs are sandbags too heavy to lift.

From Literature

"We don't even have, for example sandbags, up at this end of the road."

From BBC

Belfast City Council has issued a reminder that sandbags are available if people think their homes are at immediate risk of flooding.

From BBC

Related Words

• cause
• charge
• compel
• demand
• drag
• drive
• impose
• inflict
• limit
• make
• move
• oblige
• order
• press
• pressure
• require
• restrict
• urge