noun
- the act of deliberately underperforming or concealing abilities to gain advantage
- the process of placing sandbags for protection or fortification
Usage: informal
Usage: literal usage
verb
- to deliberately underperform or conceal one’s abilities to gain an advantage later
- to place sandbags as protection against flooding or as fortification
Usage: informal; sports and competitive contexts
Usage: literal usage
Examples
- The poker player was sandbagging by pretending to have weak hands early in the game.
- She accused him of sandbagging during practice to surprise opponents in the tournament.
- Volunteers spent the night sandbagging the riverbank before the storm hit.
- The military unit was sandbagging their position against enemy fire.
- His sandbagging in the first round made his victory seem more impressive.
- The town’s sandbagging efforts helped prevent major flood damage.
- Stop sandbagging and show us what you can really do.