handbags

British  

/ ˈhændˌbæɡz /

plural noun

1. facetious an incident in which people, esp sportsmen, fight or threaten to fight, but without real intent to inflict harm (esp in the phrases handbags at dawn, handbags at twenty paces, etc)

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Example Sentences

"I don't think anyone would risk their career for furniture and handbags," she told the court.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

In the lower court ruling, one of the handbags was not recognised as a bribe because it had been gifted to Kim before her husband's presidential inauguration.

From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026

The southern island province became a duty-free magnet, packed with luxury storefronts, giant malls and travelers loading up on cosmetics, handbags and liquor instead of flying to Seoul, Tokyo or Paris.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 23, 2026

Investors were already dumping the stocks over worries that ultradiscretionary purchases like Tiffany necklaces and Birkin handbags might be jettisoned by consumers once missiles started flying in the Middle East.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

There are all kinds of dyes, polishes, and swatches of leather Mr. Malloy uses to restore the customers’ shoes, handbags, wallets, and belts.

From "Betty Before X" by Ilyasah Shabazz and Renée Watson