black-bag job: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowColloquial, Espionage/Security Jargon, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “black-bag job” mean?
A covert, illegal entry and search of premises, typically by a government intelligence agency, to secretly obtain information or plant surveillance devices.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A covert, illegal entry and search of premises, typically by a government intelligence agency, to secretly obtain information or plant surveillance devices.
Any surreptitious, illicit entry to steal, copy, or tamper with information, property, or systems.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is more common in American espionage and investigative journalism. In the UK, similar covert operations are described, but the specific compound noun 'black-bag job' is less frequent in public discourse.
Connotations
Both carry connotations of illegality, government overreach, and Cold War-era tactics.
Frequency
More frequent in American media and political commentary.
Grammar
How to Use “black-bag job” in a Sentence
[Agency/Person] + verb (perform/conduct) + a black-bag job + [on/at Target]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “black-bag job” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They suspected the flat had been black-bagged while they were on holiday.
- The service was accused of black-bagging journalists' offices.
American English
- The agents were trained to black-bag a location swiftly and silently.
- He alleged his home was black-bagged by federal officers.
adverb
British English
- The documents were removed black-bag style, without a trace.
American English
- They entered the building black-bag, under cover of darkness.
adjective
British English
- The black-bag operation was a clear violation of the statute.
- They discussed black-bag tactics in the secret memo.
American English
- The committee investigated the agency's black-bag capabilities.
- A black-bag team was reportedly assembled for the mission.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; used metaphorically for extreme corporate espionage.
Academic
Used in political science, history, or intelligence studies.
Everyday
Very rare; mostly in news or thriller contexts.
Technical
Used in intelligence, security, and investigative journalism.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “black-bag job”
- Using 'black bag job' (three separate words) is less standard than hyphenated form.
- Confusing it with 'bag job' (a different slang).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, by definition it involves illegal entry without a proper warrant or consent.
The term is most associated with state intelligence agencies, but it can metaphorically describe any similarly covert, illegal entry by private parties.
It likely refers to the literal black bag used to carry lock-picking tools or other equipment for a covert break-in.
No, it is colloquial or journalistic jargon, not a formal term in legal statutes.
A covert, illegal entry and search of premises, typically by a government intelligence agency, to secretly obtain information or plant surveillance devices.
Black-bag job: in British English it is pronounced /ˌblæk ˈbæɡ ˌdʒɒb/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌblæk ˈbæɡ ˌdʒɑːb/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The agency resorted to a black-bag job when all legal avenues were exhausted.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a spy with a literal black bag, sneaking into a job at night—the 'job' is the illegal entry.
Conceptual Metaphor
ILLEGAL ACTIVITY IS A JOB (framing covert crime as professional work).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of a 'black-bag job'?