sandbag

[ sand-bag ]

/ ˈsændˌbæg /

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See synonyms for: sandbag / sandbagged / sandbagging / sandbagger on Thesaurus.com

noun

a bag filled with sand, used in fortification, as ballast, etc.

such a bag used as a weapon.

verb (used with object), sand·bagged, sand·bag·ging.

to furnish with sandbags.

to hit or stun with a sandbag.

Informal.

to set upon violently; attack from or as if from ambush.
to coerce or intimidate, as by threats: The election committee was sandbagged into nominating the officers for a second term.
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.

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.
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.
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), sand·bagged, sand·bag·ging.

Poker. to sandbag one or more opponents.
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.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of sandbag

First recorded in 1580–90; sand + bag

OTHER WORDS FROM sandbag

sandbagger, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use sandbag in a sentence

Those who still buy should not be able to make claims against the state for sandbags or cleanups, she added.
Hawaii Officials Promise Changes to Seawall Policies That Have Quickened Beach Destruction|by Mindy Pennybacker and Sophie Cocke, Honolulu Star-Advertiser|December 31, 2020|ProPublica
The homeowners had a few years to come up with long-term plans for their homes and remove the sandbags.
How Famous Surfers and Wealthy Homeowners Are Endangering Hawaii’s Beaches|by Sophie Cocke, Honolulu Star-Advertiser|December 5, 2020|ProPublica
A state official thanked him for the reminder, noted the sandbags had been there for 12 years and suggested he email the office with his long-term plans for the property.
How Famous Surfers and Wealthy Homeowners Are Endangering Hawaii’s Beaches|by Sophie Cocke, Honolulu Star-Advertiser|December 5, 2020|ProPublica
When asked about the sandbags this month, state officials said they would be contacting the owners about the expiration.
How Famous Surfers and Wealthy Homeowners Are Endangering Hawaii’s Beaches|by Sophie Cocke, Honolulu Star-Advertiser|December 5, 2020|ProPublica

As a result, walls of sandbags have dotted treasured and environmentally sensitive coastlines throughout the islands for years, and sometimes decades.
How Famous Surfers and Wealthy Homeowners Are Endangering Hawaii’s Beaches|by Sophie Cocke, Honolulu Star-Advertiser|December 5, 2020|ProPublica
Housing starts, which had been sandbagged by poor weather, leapt sharply.
The U.S. Economy Had a Hiccup, Not a Heart Attack, This Year|Daniel Gross|May 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Gallup Economic Confidence Index was sandbagged by the October government shutdown and debt-ceiling brinkmanship.
All Retailers Want for Christmas Is More Shoppers|Daniel Gross|December 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He made a highly illiquid bet on LightSquared, a wireless broadband company, that has sandbagged his fund and reputation.
In ‘Arbitrage,’ Richard Gere Shows How the Price Is Right|Daniel Gross|September 13, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Within six months, if you're not sandbagged or jailed on fake libel suits, you'll have a unique bibliography of swindles.
Average Jones|Samuel Hopkins Adams
The few dug-outs I saw were incomplete, the trenches rather wet and shallow and not yet sandbagged.
'Brother Bosch', an Airman's Escape from Germany|Gerald Featherstone Knight
I had a vague idea that all American women wore red flannel shirts and bowie knives and that I might be sandbagged in the street!
McClure's Magazine, Vol 31, No 2, June 1908|Various
An armoured train was improvised from such trucks as were available, the sides being sandbagged and a Lewis gun mounted in front.
With the British Army in The Holy Land|Henry Osmond Lock
"I have been sandbagged," he announced impressively, and proceeded to relate the night's adventure to his host.
The Devil's Paw|E. Phillips Oppenheim

British Dictionary definitions for sandbag

sandbag

/ (ˈsændˌbæɡ) /

noun

a sack filled with sand used for protection against gunfire, floodwater, etc, or as ballast in a balloon, ship, etc

a bag filled with sand and used as a weapon

verb -bags, -bagging or -bagged (tr)

to protect or strengthen with sandbags

to hit with or as if with a sandbag

finance to obstruct (an unwelcome takeover bid) by prolonging talks in the hope that an acceptable bidder will come forward

Derived forms of sandbag

sandbagger, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

sandbag

Origin of sandbag

OTHER WORDS FROM sandbag

Words related to sandbag

How to use sandbag in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for sandbag

Derived forms of sandbag