1. a small traveling bag made of carpet material, popular in the 19th century
2. a scheme or venture undertaken for quick profit with little regard for ethics or local interests
Usage: often used in political contexts

1. to engage in a carpetbag scheme; to pursue profit opportunistically in a place where one has no established ties
Usage: often used in political or business contexts

Examples

• The antique dealer found an old carpetbag at the estate sale.
• The politician was accused of carpetbagging when he moved to the district just before the election.
• During Reconstruction, Northern businessmen came South to carpetbag and exploit the region's resources.
• She packed her belongings into a worn carpetbag before leaving town.
• The company's carpetbag approach to the market angered local business owners.
• He was criticized for carpetbagging in the community without any genuine commitment to its welfare.