sandbag
UK: ˈsændbæɡ | US: ˈsændbæɡ
n. a bag filled with sand, used for protection, ballast, or weight training
vt. to undermine or hinder someone/something deliberately
vt. to coerce or pressure someone unfairly
The word "sandbag" is a straightforward compound of "sand" (Old English sand, from Proto-Germanic sandam) and "bag" (Old Norse baggi, meaning "pack, bundle"). Historically, sandbags were literal bags filled with sand, used for flood control or fortification. The verb senses emerged metaphorically: "to sandbag" originally meant to protect with sandbags, but by the late 19th century, it evolved to mean "to weaken or delay unfairly," likely from the idea of weighing someone down.
Workers stacked sandbags to prevent floodwaters from reaching the town.
The team accused their rivals of sandbagging during negotiations.
He felt sandbagged by the sudden change in project deadlines.
Sandbags are essential for stabilizing temporary structures.
The boxer trained by punching a heavy sandbag.