sandbagger
Feigns lesser ability
A sandbagger deliberately underperforms or conceals ability to gain advantage later—in golf, hiding skill to inflate a handicap; in poker, slow-playing a strong hand; in business, lowballing projections to exceed them later.
The term evokes someone weighed down by sandbags, holding back.
He's such a sandbagger—claims he can't play, then runs the table.
Diminish perceived importance
- understateExpress with restraint
- minimizeReduce to smallest extent
- undersellCharge below competitors' prices
- lowballDeliberately understate cost
deflect · self-deprecate · play dumb · hold back · lay low · play possum · rope-a-dope · soft-pedal
Cartilaginous marine predator
- hustlerAggressive, unscrupulous earner
- ringerImpostor in competition
- sleeperOne at rest
- dark horseUnlikely but possible winner
tanking · throwing · dumping · pool shark · seeding · underdog · point shaving · match fixing
One who pretends
- pretenderIllegitimate claimant to power
- blufferOne who deceives boldly
- feignerOne who pretends
- charlatanFaker claiming false expertise
impostor · fraud · phony · sham · con artist · trickster · deceiver · masquerader
Strengthening defenses or nutrients
- flood controlPreventing destructive overflow
- leveeRiver flood barrier
- dikeWall against flooding
- barricadeObstacle blocking a path
bunker · bulwark · rampart · trench · embankment · defensive position · entrenchment · revetment
downplay
Diminish perceived importance
- understateExpress with restraint
- minimizeReduce to smallest extent
- undersellCharge below competitors' prices
lowball · deflect · self-deprecate · play dumb · hold back · lay low · play possum · rope-a-dope · soft-pedal · underestimate
shark
Cartilaginous marine predator
dark horse · tanking · throwing · dumping · pool shark · seeding · underdog · point shaving · match fixing
faker
One who pretends
charlatan · impostor · fraud · phony · sham · con artist · trickster · deceiver · masquerader · dissembler
handicap
Imposed competitive disadvantage
- net scoreResult after subtracting allowances
fortification
Strengthening defenses or nutrients
- flood controlPreventing destructive overflow
- leveeRiver flood barrier
- dikeWall against flooding
barricade · bunker · bulwark · rampart · trench · embankment · defensive position · entrenchment · revetment · earthwork
- golfgolf, golf club, golf clubs, golf ball, golf balls
- sailing vesselsschooner, ketch, yawl, brig, sloop
- sailingsailboat, sailing, sails, sailboats, catamaran
- Golf Slangbirdie, bogey, par, eagle, ace
- avoidersdodger, evader, shirker, avoider, draft dodger
- golf formatsstroke play, match play, medal play, scramble, best ball
sandbaggerstraight shooter
Forthright, blunt person
good sport · sportsman · sportswoman · straight arrow · honest broker
sandbaggerdark horse
Unlikely but possible winner
long shot · paper tiger · favorite · frontrunner · top seed