in the bag

Idioms  

1. Assured of success, virtually accomplished or won. For example, The coach thought the trophy was in the bag, or Our new contract is in the bag. The precise allusion in this idiom is unknown. One writer believes it refers to a completed transaction, that is, an item bought and wrapped in a bag. However, it may well refer to the game bag in which hunters place small game such as birds. [c. 1920] Also see under wrap up.

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Example Sentences

Against Wales they had 35 points and victory in the bag after 49 minutes but shipped 21 unanswered points from there.

From BBC

I step closer and look in the bag.

From Literature

Three minutes earlier, they had conceded an equaliser in a game they seemed to have in the bag.

From BBC

Workers use tools to assess the metal components in the bag’s hardware and may use an X-ray machine to suss out a fake.

From The Wall Street Journal

You’re just chilling out in the bag, hanging with your buddies, and then you get dumped into a pan full of slippery oil.

From Literature