sandbag

Meanings

Plural: sandbags

Noun

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

Verb

• treat harshly or unfairly
• compel by coercion, threats, or crude means
  • "They sandbagged him to make dinner for everyone"
• hit something or somebody as if with a sandbag
• downplay one's ability (towards others) in a game in order to deceive, as in gambling
• protect or strengthen with sandbags; stop up
  • "The residents sandbagged the beach front"
• To construct a barrier of sandbags (around).
• To strike someone with a sandbag or other object to disable or render unconscious.
• 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.
• To blindside; to deceive; to undermine.
• To pretend to drink alcohol early on so that, as the night draws on, one can drink everybody else "under the table".

Synonyms

downplay, dragoon, railroad, stun