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

See Examples For:

in the bag

A fire chief has said temperatures faced by crews tackling a peatland wildfire are so high they feel like "boil in the bag" meals.

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026

Here’s the headline: You have unusually strong income security, with two Social Security checks, a pension, a spouse still earning a salary with another 80% pension on the way, and long-term-care insurance in the bag.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 2, 2026

When Lululemon landed on former Nike executive Heidi O’Neill for the job last week, Chairwoman Marti Morfitt and the board thought they had it in the bag.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 1, 2026

Is it presumptuous to say that an actor has an Oscar in the bag two weeks before the ceremony?

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 11, 2026

He put everything back in the bag except the chili sauce.

From "Red Scarf Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution" by Ji-li Jiang