noun
handbag
HAND-bag
noun
1
A small bag, usually carried by women, used to hold personal items such as a wallet, keys, and makeup.
"She rummaged through her handbag looking for her phone."
verb
1
(British, informal) To criticize or attack someone verbally, often used of a woman doing the criticizing.
"The columnist handbagged the minister over his policy U-turn."
Word Forms
handbagged past tense, handbags singular
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Etymology
A straightforward compound of hand and bag. The verb sense is a playful reference to former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, famous for her handbag and her sharp tongue.