sandbag

• Sac rempli de sable, généralement utilisé comme barrière de protection contre les inondations, comme lest ou comme arme contondante.

A bag filled with sand, typically used as a protective barrier against flooding, as ballast, or as a blunt weapon.

1. B1formal

   A bag filled with sand, used for building temporary walls, as ballast, or as a weapon.

   sac de sable

   • The soldiers stacked sandbags to create a protective barrier.
   • They used sandbags to prevent the floodwater from entering the house.
   • He carried a sandbag to the construction site for ballast.

• Verbe signifiant placer des sacs de sable autour de quelque chose pour le protéger, ou délibérément fournir des performances médiocres ou se retenir dans une situation compétitive.

A verb meaning to place sandbags around something for protection, or to deliberately underperform or hold back in a competitive situation.

1. Treat harshly or unfairlyB2informalamerican

   To treat someone in a harsh, unfair, or coercive manner.

   traiter durement

   • The manager sandbagged his employees with unrealistic deadlines.
   • She felt sandbagged by the sudden criticism from her colleagues.
   • They sandbagged the opposition by introducing new rules at the last minute.

   Synonymesbrowbeatbullycoerceharassintimidatemaltreatmistreatpersecutepush aroundstrong-arm

   Antonymesaidassistbefriendfavorhelpsupport

2. Compel by coercion or threatsB2informalamerican

   To force someone to do something through intimidation or pressure.

   contraindre par intimidation

   • He sandbagged her into signing the contract against her will.
   • The bully sandbagged the younger kids into giving him their lunch money.
   • They were sandbagged into accepting the deal under threat of legal action.

   Synonymesbrowbeatbullycoercecompelforceintimidatepressurestrong-arm

3. Hit as if with a sandbagB2informal

   To strike someone or something with a heavy blow, as if using a sandbag.

   Frapper violemment (comme avec un sac de sable)

   • The boxer sandbagged his opponent with a powerful right hook.
   • He sandbagged the door with a heavy thud to break it open.
   • The thief sandbagged the guard from behind to knock him out.

   Synonymesbeatbludgeonclubhitpoundstrike

4. Downplay ability to deceiveC1slangamerican

   To deliberately hide or downplay one's skill or strength in a game or competition to gain an advantage.

   Dissimuler son niveau (pour tromper l'adversaire)

   • He was sandbagging in the poker game, pretending to be a novice.
   • The player sandbagged his true ability until the final round.
   • Don't sandbag; just show us what you can really do.

   Synonymesdownplayhold backplay downplay possumunderplayunderstate

5. Protect or strengthen with sandbagsB1formal

   To reinforce or fortify a structure using sandbags, typically for flood protection or military defense.

   Renforcer avec des sacs de sable

   • The volunteers sandbagged the riverbank to prevent flooding.
   • Soldiers sandbagged the entrance to the bunker for extra protection.
   • They sandbagged the walls to stop the water from seeping in.

   Synonymesbarricadebulwarkfortifyreinforceshore up

   Antonymesexposeundermineweaken