English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Bag and baggage
Meaning
"Bag and baggage" is an idiomatic expression that means to leave a place, usually to go on a journey or travel. It can also be used to describe someone who leaves their belongings behind and goes away, often to start a new life or move to a different country or region.
Usage
- The family decided to pack their bags and baggage and set off for a two-week road trip across the country.
- When she discovered her husband had been cheating on her, she packed her bags and baggage and left him without saying a word.
- After years of living in the city, John decided to pack his bags and baggage and move to the countryside where he could enjoy nature and fresh air.
- The company announced that they were closing down their office in New York and all employees had to pack their bags and baggage and relocate to their headquarters in California.
- Sarah packed her bags and baggage and left her old life behind to pursue her dream of becoming a professional dancer.
Roots and History
The idiom "bag and baggage" has been used since the Middle Ages, but its exact origin is unclear. It may have derived from the phrase "bag and poultry", which means to pack up all one's possessions and leave for good. Over time, the phrase evolved to include not just belongings, but also people themselves, as in "to pack one's bags and baggage". The idiom was popularized in English literature during the Renaissance, when many people were migrating from rural areas to cities and needed to pack up their homes and families. There are variations of this idiom in other languages, such as "bag and bundle" in French, "bag and trunk" in German, "bag and luggage" in Italian, and "bag and case" in Spanish.
Synonyms in English
- Pack up
- Leave
- Go away
- Move out
- Relocate
Synonyms in other languages
- French: emballer (to pack)
- German: packen (to pack)
- Italian: imbarcarare (to board a vehicle)
- Spanish: partir (to leave)
- Russian: оставить позади (to leave behind)