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.

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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

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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

Ultimately, Bertrand removes a 50-pound sandbag from the counterweight bin, tightens the sling, and realigns the wooden trough.

From Slate • Jul. 7, 2025

He added that locals have been trying, "to sandbag as many buildings as we can", as well as board up windows and get the island's clam farms secured.

From BBC • Sep. 26, 2024

And he has had spills in the public eye: falling off a bicycle, tripping over a sandbag.

From New York Times • Feb. 10, 2024

Mr. Biden took a serious fall in June after tripping over a sandbag after delivering the commencement speech at the Air Force Academy.

From Washington Times • Nov. 17, 2023

Azar gave the rope a quick tug, and out in front of Bunker Six, the white sandbag lifted itself up and hovered there in a misty swirl of gas.

From "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien

Related Words

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