1. to hit or attack someone with a sandbag
2. to treat someone unfairly or harshly, especially by criticizing them severely or putting them in a difficult position
Usage: informal
3. to deliberately understate one’s ability or performance in order to gain an advantage
Usage: informal

Examples

• The victim was sandbagged by an unknown assailant.
• I felt sandbagged when my boss criticized my work in front of everyone.
• The committee sandbagged the proposal without giving us a chance to explain.
• He sandbagged his opponents by pretending to be a beginner at poker.
• The team was sandbagged by the sudden rule changes.
• She sandbagged her golf handicap to win the tournament.