sandbagged
Built crude defenses
Sandbagged describes being weighed down or protected by sandbags, as in flood control.
More often, it means being treated unfairly or caught off guard: We got sandbagged by hidden fees.
In games and sports, to sandbag is to deliberately underperform to gain advantage later—hiding your true skill to hustle opponents or secure easier matchups: He sandbagged his way into the amateur bracket.
Surprised by unforeseen impact
- ambushedAttacked from concealment
- bushwhackedAttacked from concealment
- broadsidedStruck on the side
- sucker-punchedHit without advance warning
stunned · shocked · floored · gobsmacked · flabbergasted · dumbfounded · taken aback · unexpected
Hurrying or swindling
- sharkingPredatory money lending
- tankingDeclining rapidly, collapsing
- throwingPropelling by arm motion
- underperformingDoing worse than expected
downplaying · lowballing · misrepresenting · concealing · disguising · feigning · faking · bluffing
River flood barrier
- dikeWall against flooding
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- embankmentRaised earth structure
- floodwallBarrier against rising water
bulwark · fortification · dam · berm · revetment · spillway · flood control · riverbank
Made intentionally heavier
- anchoredFixed securely in position
- stabilizedMade steady or constant
- counterbalancedEqualized by opposing weight
- loadedWeighted or wealthy
heavy · bulk · deadweight · grounding · securing · mooring · cargo · counterweight
Reinforced subterranean stronghold
- fortificationStrengthening defenses or nutrients
- emplacementPrepared weapon position
- trenchLong narrow excavation
- foxholeMilitary defensive excavation
barricade · parapet · rampart · dugout · pillbox · machine gun nest · defensive position · cover
blindsided
Surprised by unforeseen impact
- ambushedAttacked from concealment
- bushwhackedAttacked from concealment
- broadsidedStruck on the side
sucker-punched · stunned · shocked · floored · gobsmacked · flabbergasted · dumbfounded · taken aback · unexpected · startled
hustling
Hurrying or swindling
underperforming · downplaying · lowballing · misrepresenting · concealing · disguising · feigning · faking · bluffing · misleading
levee
River flood barrier
- dikeWall against flooding
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- embankmentRaised earth structure
floodwall · bulwark · fortification · dam · berm · revetment · spillway · flood control · riverbank · erosion
weighted
Made intentionally heavier
- anchoredFixed securely in position
- stabilizedMade steady or constant
- counterbalancedEqualized by opposing weight
loaded · heavy · bulk · deadweight · grounding · securing · mooring · cargo · counterweight · steadying
bunker
Reinforced subterranean stronghold
- fortificationStrengthening defenses or nutrients
- emplacementPrepared weapon position
- trenchLong narrow excavation
foxhole · barricade · parapet · rampart · dugout · pillbox · machine gun nest · defensive position · cover · shelter
- dupeddeceived, tricked, fooled, conned, swindled
- unreadyunprepared, ill-prepared, ill-equipped, unready, not ready
sandbaggedshowed off
Displayed ostentatiously
went all out · flexed · peacocked · grandstanded · showboated