in the bag

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'in the bag' is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is used to indicate that something has been achieved or is very likely to be achieved. Example: I am sure our team will win the race, it's already in the bag!.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nothing is in the bag.

The New Yorker

The state's in the bag.

The New York Times

Number four in the bag.

Independent

Boil in the bag?

The Times

Receipt in the bag?

The Guardian - Travel

What have you got in the bag?

The New York Times

He was kind of in the bag.

The New York Times

But the nomination was in the bag!

The New York Times

Popping it in the bag.

The New Yorker

Next election: in the bag.

The Guardian

Straight back in the bag.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the bag" to convey confidence that something is certain to happen or has already been secured. It adds a casual yet assured tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "in the bag" when there's still a significant degree of uncertainty or risk involved. Overusing it can make you sound presumptuous or out of touch with reality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the bag" functions as an idiomatic expression, primarily used as an adjective to describe something as secured, guaranteed, or virtually certain. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showing its use to express assured success or completion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiomatic expression "in the bag" signifies that something is secured, guaranteed, or virtually certain. As Ludwig AI points out, its primary function is to express confidence and assurance. While grammatically correct and very commonly used, it leans towards informal to neutral contexts, making it less suitable for highly formal or academic writing. For more formal situations, alternatives such as ""assured of success"" or "virtually certain" are more appropriate. Its frequent appearance in news media underscores its widespread use in general communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assured of success

Focuses on the certainty of achieving a positive outcome.

virtually certain

Emphasizes the high probability of an event occurring.

a done deal

Indicates that an agreement or arrangement has been finalized.

success is guaranteed

Highlights the promise of a positive result.

victory is assured

Specifically refers to the certainty of winning.

practically guaranteed

Similar to 'virtually certain', but with slight less emphasis on total certainty.

all but certain

Almost guaranteed, with only a minimal chance of failure.

a foregone conclusion

Indicates that the outcome is inevitable and predictable.

locked up

Implies securing something definitively, making success inevitable.

sewed up

Conveys a sense of finality and guaranteed outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "in the bag" in a sentence?

You can use "in the bag" to express confidence that something is secured. For example, "With that new client signed, the quarterly target is "assured of success"."

What are some alternatives to saying "in the bag"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a done deal", "guaranteed", or "assured".

Is it appropriate to use "in the bag" in formal writing?

While "in the bag" is widely understood, it's generally considered informal. In formal writing, opt for phrases like "virtually certain" or "success is guaranteed" to maintain a professional tone.

What does it mean when someone says something is "in the bag"?

When someone says something is "in the bag", they mean that it's "a foregone conclusion", certain to happen, or already accomplished. It expresses a high degree of confidence in the outcome.