PhrasesHub

Bag and baggage

    Definitions

      • To leave a place completely and take all belongings with you
        To express the act of moving out of a place or situation and taking all possessions and belongings with you

      • To completely defeat or overpower someone or something
        To describe a situation where someone or something is completely overwhelmed or defeated

    Examples of Bag and baggage

    • When the company announced the relocation, Mr. Thompson was ready to move bag and baggage to the new office abroad.

      Mr. Thompson was fully prepared to transfer all his belongings and move entirely to the new location.

    • The hurricane forced them to leave the town bag and baggage, with little hope of returning soon.

      They had to move out completely, taking all their possessions with them due to the hurricane.

    • After the divorce, she left her ex-husband's house bag and baggage, wishing to start afresh.

      She moved out taking all her belongings with her in order to begin a new life elsewhere.

    • Following the allegations of fraud, the disgraced CEO was asked to leave the company bag and baggage.

      The CEO was directed to completely vacate the premises, removing all personal items.

    • The old tenant left bag and baggage overnight, leaving no trace he ever lived there.

      The tenant completely moved out unexpectedly, taking every personal belonging.

    • Bag and baggage, the explorers set off for the remote Arctic outpost.

      The explorers took all of their equipment and supplies on their journey to the outpost.

    • She couldn't bear the thought of dealing with her past; hence, she abandoned it bag and baggage.

      She left behind everything from her past life, refusing to carry any part of it with her.

    • As the soldiers retreated from the battlefield, they gathered their gear bag and baggage, leaving nothing behind.

      The soldiers collected all of their personal and issued equipment while retreating.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "bag and baggage" can be used in two main contexts. The first is to describe the act of moving out of a place or situation and taking all possessions and belongings with you. This can be used in a literal sense when someone is physically moving out of a house or location, or in a figurative sense when someone is leaving a job, relationship, or other situation. The second meaning of the idiom is to describe a situation where someone or something is completely overwhelmed or defeated, often in a negative or unfavorable sense.

    Origin of "Bag and baggage"

    The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the 16th century, when it was commonly used in England. In those times, people would often carry their belongings in a bag or sack when they were traveling or moving to a new location. It was common to see travelers with their bags and baggage, which meant they were fully prepared for their journey. Over time, the phrase became popular and was used to describe the act of leaving a place with all your belongings.

    Another possible origin of this idiom can be linked to the military. Soldiers would often carry their weapons and personal belongings in bags when they were marching to a new location. When an army was completely defeated in battle, they would have to leave the battlefield with all their bags and baggage, signifying their complete defeat. This could be the reason why the idiom also has a meaning of being completely overwhelmed or defeated.

    In conclusion, the idiom "bag and baggage" has been used for centuries to describe the act of leaving a place with all possessions and belongings. Its origins can be traced back to the 16th century and it has evolved to also have a figurative meaning of being completely overwhelmed or defeated. It is a versatile idiom that is still commonly used in modern English today.