sandbag

noun

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sand·bag | \ ˈsan(d)-ˌbag

Definition of sandbag

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a bag filled with sand and used in fortifications, as ballast, or as a weapon

sandbag

verb

sandbagged; sandbagging; sandbags

Definition of sandbag (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to bank, stop up, or weight with sandbags

2a : to hit or stun with or as if with a sandbag

b : to treat unfairly or harshly

c : to coerce by crude means are raiding the Treasury and sandbagging the government— C. W. Ferguson

d : to conceal or misrepresent one's true position, potential, or intent especially in order to gain an advantage over

intransitive verb

: to hide the truth about oneself so as to gain an advantage over another

Other Words from sandbag Synonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about sandbag

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Did You Know?

Verb

In the 19th century, the verb sandbag began to be used to describe the act of bludgeoning someone with a small, sand-filled bag - a tactic employed by ruffians, usually as a prelude to robbing their victims. The verb went on to develop metaphorical extensions, such as "to coerce by crude means." By the 1940s, it was being used of a strategy in which a poker player with a good hand bets weakly, in order to draw other players into holding on to their hands and raising the bet. The use of sandbag has since evolved to refer to a general strategy of playing down one's position in order to gain some sort of advantage.

Examples of sandbag in a Sentence

Verb He claimed he was playing badly because of an injury, but I think he was sandbagging. I think he was sandbagging us.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Like a sandbag in the face of a tsunami, the chewy pretzel bun can barely contain the pure, sloppy force of the sandwich. — Soleil Ho, SFChronicle.com, "Two growing Bay Area restaurants, Malibu’s and Amy’s, serve craveable fast-food burgers — just without the meat," 14 Jan. 2021 The sandbag barricade was still there when the news organizations recently visited the property. — Sophie Cocke, ProPublica, "How Famous Surfers and Wealthy Homeowners Are Endangering Hawaii’s Beaches," 5 Dec. 2020 The sandbag structure in front of the home expired in July, according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources. — Sophie Cocke, ProPublica, "How Famous Surfers and Wealthy Homeowners Are Endangering Hawaii’s Beaches," 5 Dec. 2020 Homeowners told the Star-Advertiser and ProPublica that the sandbag structures cost them tens of thousands of dollars. — Sophie Cocke, ProPublica, "How Famous Surfers and Wealthy Homeowners Are Endangering Hawaii’s Beaches," 5 Dec. 2020 Would allow the manufacture, sale and possession of brass knuckles, cestus, billy, blackjack, sandbag, switchblade knife, springblade knife, gravity knife or similar weapon. — Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, "'Quite a few ornaments:' Ohio gun policy overhaul would expand concealed carry, stand your ground," 18 Nov. 2020 Six self-service sandbag locations will open at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. — Emma Discher, NOLA.com, "Ahead of Hurricane Zeta, here's where to get sandbags in the New Orleans area," 26 Oct. 2020 With Hurricane Zeta forecast to hit the Louisiana coast as a Category 1 storm sometime Wednesday, St. Tammany Parish Government has announced the opening of six sandbag depots for residents to prepare. — Andrew Canulette | Staff Writer, NOLA.com, "St. Tammany Parish to open sandbag stations Tuesday morning as Hurricane Zeta threatens," 26 Oct. 2020 Free sandbag stations were positioned across New Orleans, and drive-through coronavirus testing was canceled as the National Guard mobilized to respond to Delta elsewhere. — Washington Post, "Louisiana coastline prepares to be battered, again, with arrival of Hurricane Delta," 8 Oct. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The Falwell’s attempt to sandbag me, and the Examiner, with a last minute story without providing the Examiner clear evidence that this was not simply an ‘affair’ with concocted allegations of extortion reeks desperation. — Anthony Leonardi, Washington Examiner, "'Granny panties': Falwell Jr. denies that sharing image of exposed female Liberty University student was sexual act," 26 Aug. 2020 Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s efforts at sandbagging Southeast Asia’s biggest economy from a deepening coronavirus crisis may have come too late and the stimulus unveiled so far is poorly targeted, according to two former finance ministers. — Karlis Salna, Bloomberg.com, "Indonesia Stimulus Is Too Little Too Late, Former Ministers Say," 10 May 2020 Sewer main lines were completely filled, and crews sandbagged manholes in the area to avoid further surface water infiltration, city officials said. — USA TODAY, "More pigeon hats, cushion cash, Chaka Khan: News from around our 50 states," 20 Jan. 2020 The council was angry with Fischer and accused him of sandbagging them earlier on pension issues. — Joseph Gerth, The Courier-Journal, "From the Kentucky Derby to the governor's race, here are the top 9 moments from 2019," 19 Dec. 2019 In Pisa, workers sandbagged the road along the rising Arno River, which was also surging through the heart of Florence, reaching a level near the Uffizi Galleries that was described as the highest in some 20 years. — Colleen Barry And Luca Bruno, USA TODAY, "Venice hit with a historic third major flood in less than a week," 18 Nov. 2019 Far worse, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs George Kent and Acting U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor repeatedly sandbagged Democrats’ rationale for booting President Donald J. Trump offstage. — Deroy Murdock, National Review, "Schiff’s Impeachment Show Is Off to a Shaky Start," 15 Nov. 2019 In Pisa, famed for its Leaning Tower, workers sandbagged the road along the rising Arno River, which authorities said had reached the highest level there and in another Tuscan city, Florence, since 1992. — Colleen Barry And Luca Bruno, SFChronicle.com, "Record flooding again swamps soaked Venice," 17 Nov. 2019 The south-central North Dakota city began sandbagging after releases from the Pipestem Dam and Jamestown Reservoir were increased. — USA TODAY, "Sesame Street joins SeaWorld, sunken WW II ship found, presidential yacht: News from around our 50 states," 22 Oct. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sandbag.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.