In the bag

Meaning

The idiom "in the bag" means that something has been secured or guaranteed. It can also mean that a deal or transaction has been completed successfully. The figurative meaning of the idiom is to imply that a task or goal has been accomplished, and there is no longer any uncertainty or doubt about its outcome.

Usage

• After weeks of negotiations, the company finally reached an agreement with the labor union. "It's in the bag," said the CEO.
• The basketball team had practiced hard for months, and they knew that they could win the championship. "We got it in the bag," said their coach.
• The artist had been working on her painting for weeks, and she was confident that it would be a success. "This one's in the bag," she said before submitting it to the gallery.
• The sales representative had been trying to close the deal with the client for weeks, and finally, he succeeded. "It's all in the bag now," he said with a smile.
• The airline had announced that there would be no delays or cancellations today, much to the relief of its passengers. "Today, everything is in the bag," said the spokesperson.

Roots and History

The origin of the idiom "in the bag" can be traced back to the Middle Ages when bags were used for carrying goods and valuables. The phrase likely refers to a bag that has been sealed or locked, indicating that its contents have been secured. Over time, the idiom evolved to mean that something had been accomplished or guaranteed.

Synonyms in English

• Secured
• Guaranteed
• Assured
• Settled
• Finalized

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: En el bolso (in the bag)
• French: Dans le sac (in the bag)
• Italian: Nello zoccolo (in the bag)
• German: Im Taschentuch (in the bag)
• Russian: В кармане (in the bag)

Similar Idioms

• in broad daylight

• on the cards

• in the cross hairs