body bag: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2The literal meaning is neutral/formal in contexts like medicine, military, or law enforcement. The figurative/sporting meaning is informal. The handbag meaning is informal, slightly dated slang.
Quick answer
What does “body bag” mean?
A heavy-duty zippered bag, typically made of rubber or plastic, used for containing and transporting a human corpse.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A heavy-duty zippered bag, typically made of rubber or plastic, used for containing and transporting a human corpse.
A decisive defeat, particularly in a sporting contest; a situation where a competitor or team is thoroughly beaten. Also used informally to refer to a large, shapeless handbag.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in the core meaning. The figurative sporting usage ('to body-bag an opponent') is more common in American English sports journalism.
Connotations
Shared connotations of morbidity and finality. In the UK, the informal use for a handbag is more recognized but still niche.
Frequency
The word is low-frequency in everyday conversation but is a standard, well-known term in relevant professional and news contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “body bag” in a Sentence
[Verb] + body bag (e.g., place in, remove from)[Preposition] + body bag (e.g., in a body bag)[Adjective] + body bagVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “body bag” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The opposition were absolutely body-bagged in the general election.
American English
- The Lakers got body-bagged last night, losing by 40 points.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Almost never used, except potentially in crisis management discussions (e.g., 'The product failure was a body bag for our stock price').
Academic
Used in forensic science, medicine, criminology, and military history texts discussing casualty handling.
Everyday
Used in news reports about disasters, accidents, or crime. The figurative use is heard in sports commentary or discussions about competitions.
Technical
Standard term in emergency services, disaster response, military logistics, and mortuary services.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “body bag”
- Using 'body bag' to mean a bag for carrying gym clothes or sports equipment. That is a 'kit bag' or 'duffel bag'.
- Confusing 'body bag' with 'body stocking' (a type of garment).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In its literal context (medical, disaster response), it is a standard, neutral term. However, using it casually or humorously outside these contexts can be considered insensitive or offensive due to its association with death.
Yes, but only informally, primarily in journalism or commentary to mean 'to defeat utterly'. It is not a standard verb in formal writing.
A body bag is for temporary storage and transport of a corpse, often in emergency or unplanned situations. A coffin (or casket) is a more permanent, often decorative container used for burial or cremation as part of funeral rites.
No, this 1980s/1990s slang for a large, soft handbag is now quite dated and rarely used by younger speakers.
A heavy-duty zippered bag, typically made of rubber or plastic, used for containing and transporting a human corpse.
Body bag is usually the literal meaning is neutral/formal in contexts like medicine, military, or law enforcement. the figurative/sporting meaning is informal. the handbag meaning is informal, slightly dated slang. in register.
Body bag: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɒdi ˌbæɡ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɑːdi ˌbæɡ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Political scandal turned out to be a body bag for his career.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a bag with a label 'BODY' written on it, reminding you it's specifically for a body. The two B's (Body Bag) link the concept.
Conceptual Metaphor
DEFEAT IS DEATH. A crushing defeat is conceptualized as being 'bagged' like a corpse, implying total cessation of competitive viability.
Practice
Quiz
In informal American sports journalism, what does 'to body-bag' a team mean?