plural sandbags
: a bag filled with sand and used as a weight or to build temporary walls, dams, etc.
sandbags; sandbagged; sandbagging
1
: to put sandbags around, on, or in (something)
They sandbagged (the area around) the house to protect it from the flood.
2
chiefly US, informal
: to hit (someone) with a sandbag
—usually used figuratively to describe treating or criticizing someone unfairly
He would have won the election but he got sandbagged by the media.
3
US, informal
: to hide your true abilities or purpose in order to deceive people, gain an advantage, etc.
He claimed he was playing badly because of an injury, but I think he was sandbagging.
I think he was sandbagging us.
Cite this Entry
“Sandbag.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/sandbag. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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