Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

sandbagged

verb

/ˈsændˌbæɡd/

Definition

To deceive or take advantage of someone by pretending to be weak or incapable.

Examples

She sandbagged him during the game, making him think he would win easily.
In negotiations, he sandbagged his opponents by pretending to agree while secretly holding out for better terms.

Meaning

The term ‘sandbagged’ originates from the practice of using sandbags to create a false impression of someone being defenseless or unprepared. It refers to a strategy where someone may intentionally underperform or hide their strengths to catch others off guard.