sacks
B1Neutral to informal (for dismissal); formal (for historical plunder); technical (sports).
Definition
Meaning
Plural form of 'sack', referring to large bags made of coarse material for storing or carrying goods, or the act of dismissing someone from employment.
Can refer to the plundering of a city (to put to sack), a loose-fitting garment, or in American football, tackling the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The plural form is used for multiple bags or multiple instances of dismissal. The 'dismissal' meaning is informal and potentially insensitive.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use 'sacks' for bags and dismissals. 'Sack' as a verb for dismissal is slightly more common in UK English. In US English, 'sack' is the standard term for tackling the quarterback.
Connotations
The dismissal meaning carries a blunt, forceful connotation in both varieties.
Frequency
The bag meaning is common in both. The dismissal meaning is common in journalism and informal contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] sacks [Object] (dismissal)[Subject] is/are sacked (passive)[Team] sacks [Quarterback] (sports)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Hit the sack (go to bed)”
- “Sack race (sports day game)”
- “To get the sack (be dismissed)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Informal for termination of employment. 'The new CEO sacked three managers.'
Academic
Historical context: 'The sack of Rome in 410 AD.'
Everyday
Referring to shopping or storage: 'We need two sacks of compost for the garden.'
Technical
American Football: 'The defense recorded five sacks in the first half.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The manager sacks anyone who is late more than twice.
- The club sacked their coach after a losing streak.
American English
- The company sacked half the department during the merger.
- The linebacker sacked the quarterback for a huge loss.
adjective
British English
- The sackcloth material was rough.
- He was given his sack notice on Friday.
American English
- The sack race is a classic picnic game.
- A sack lunch was provided for the field trip.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The farmer filled three sacks with potatoes.
- These sacks are very heavy.
- After the theft, two sacks of rice were missing.
- He got the sack for not following safety rules.
- The archaeological site yielded several ancient burial sacks.
- The board decided to sack the spokesperson over the controversial remarks.
- The policy of sacking employees via email was widely condemned.
- His innovative defensive strategy led to a record number of quarterback sacks.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SACKS: Several Bags Carrying Kitchen Supplies. Or, Sudden Announcement Cancels Job Security.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMPLOYMENT IS A CONTAINER (losing a job is being emptied from the container). PUNISHMENT/FAILURE IS BEING HIT (sacked in football).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'мешки' (bags) for eyes or under eyes. The dismissal meaning has no direct single-word equivalent; use 'уволить'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'sacks' as a singular verb (e.g., 'He sacks the employee' is correct, but 'He need a sacks' is wrong). Confusing 'sack' (bag) with 'sac' (biological).
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'sacks' NOT typically refer to dismissal?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is informal and direct. More formal alternatives are 'dismisses' or 'terminates'.
A sack is typically larger, made of coarser material (like burlap), and used for bulk goods. A bag is a more general term.
No, 'sacks' is always plural. The singular is 'sack'.
It is understood but is primarily an American football term. In UK rugby or football (soccer), different terms like 'tackle' are used.