I have a tough exam coming up soon, but I’m not worried. I’ve been studying hard every day and I’ve even given up all social events this month, so I think I have it in the bag! Have you ever been this confident going into an exam?
Check out Dara’s latest video for more on this common expression.
Transcript
In the bag? You mean … shopping?
No! If we say something is in the bag, we mean that it’s almost certainly won, achieved, or accomplished, that we’re almost certain of success or victory.
Let’s look at a few examples to clear this up:
- Manchester United are winning 4-0 with just 5 minutes remaining. The victory is in the bag.
- I haven’t got confirmation that I’ve got the job yet, but I’m pretty sure it’s in the bag. They seemed very keen to hire me in the interview.
- With 60% of the votes counted so far, it seems that the Labour Party has this election in the bag. They have won 250 seats to the Conservatives’ 140.
So, there we are: in the bag. Do you have a similar phrase in your language?
Practice
We’re excited to see what you can do with this expression. Read the questions below and share some of your own sentences using today’s expression.
- Were you ever really confident after a job interview and sure you’d be offered the position? What happened?
- We’re you ever so far ahead of your competitors in a sports event or game, that you were certain of victory? Explain.
- What could you say to your friends to reassure them before they go into a difficult exam?
Let us know in the comments section below!
If you’d like to continue improving your English language skills, check out our English Grammar Guide video series.
Then show us what you’ve learned over on Facebook by leaving us a comment!
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