In the bag
What is an idiom? An idiom is a phrase or expression. They are tricky to understand as their meanings do not directly relate to the individual words used in the phrase.
Definition:
The English idiom "in the bag" means that something is almost certainly going to happen or be successful. It's used when the outcome is practically guaranteed, like a task that is already completed or a competition that is almost won.
Origin:
The phrase likely comes from the world of sports, especially baseball in the early 1900s. In some baseball games, when the New York Giants were winning, they would place a ball in a "lucky" bag. They believed it would help them keep the victory safe. Over time, people started using "in the bag" to mean that something is almost certain or secure.
Examples:
Here are examples of how the idiom can be used in sentences:
Sports context:
"After scoring five goals, the soccer team knew the victory was in the bag."
"With only a few seconds left and a big lead, the basketball players felt the win was in the bag."
Work context:
"After their excellent presentation, the team was sure the new contract was in the bag."
"She completed the project ahead of time, so her promotion felt like it was in the bag."
School context:
"After studying all night and knowing the answers, he felt the test was in the bag.
She submitted her final paper, and she was confident her passing grade was in the bag."
"Our team is winning 5-0 with just a few minutes left, so the victory is in the bag!"