sandbag

Meaning

Noun

1. A sturdy sack filled with sand, generally used in large numbers to make defensive walls against flooding, bullets, or shrapnel.
2. A small bag filled with sand and used as a cudgel.
3. An engraver's leather cushion, etc.
4. A deceptive play whereby a player with a strong hand bets weakly or passively.

Verb

1. To construct a barrier of sandbags (around).
2. To strike someone with a sandbag or other object to disable or render unconscious.
3. To conceal or misrepresent one's true position, potential, or intent in order to gain an advantage; (originally poker) to pretend to have a weak hand, as a strategy.
4. To blindside; to deceive; to undermine.
5. To pretend to drink early on so that, as the night draws on, one can drink everybody else "under the table".

Synonyms

dragoon

stun

railroad

browbeat

bully

clamp

🗜️

coerce

compel

criticize

drive

enforce

force

gabion

hale

impel

intimidate

lambaste

make

maltreat

misrepresent

mistreat

narcotize

press

reduce

stupefy

victimise

victimize

kick around

punching bag

sand bag

ache

punch bag

besot

boss

Etymology

From sand + bag.