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)

---

Example Sentences

Parnell said the handbags themselves were "pieces of art" and "extremely rare" and were considered investments by many people.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

When Eucharistic ministers moved through aisles to distribute Communion, they had to tiptoe around knees and handbags.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 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

Wars don’t tend to drive up demand for designer handbags and Swiss watches—but a long-anticipated rebound for luxury stocks remains on track.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

Their front windows were full of dresses, handbags, children’s annuals, and when you went inside, a sweet stale smell.

From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro