handbag
(British, transitive, idiomatic, humorous, metonym) To attack verbally or subject to criticism (typically used of a woman).
Seen in the wild
An autistic woman who arrived at a work away day with a “quirky but fashionable handbag” actually attended with a deeply embarrassing lunchbox, according to witnesses.
#JacksonJOJAXS - The Ultimate Daily Style Guide Featuring Luxury Fashion Tips, Best Designer Dresses & Top Handbag Essentials ✨ #JJX #JJXbeauty #luxuryfashion #frenchgirlstyle #frenchfashion
First, it was the Michael microphone soda cup that blew the hell up when you put Pepsi in it. Now, it's the Devil Wears Prada 2 purse that electrocutes you for daring to put imitation butter in a designer handbag.
You have the comedic chops of a leather handbag and the vocabulary of a hockey puck. Get on my level or go home, Martha.
but to answer the Q: a conspiracy I 100% believe is that designers intentionally don't put pockets on women's clothing so Big Handbag can sell overpriced purses.
Definitions
(British, transitive, idiomatic, humorous, metonym) To attack verbally or subject to criticism (typically used of a woman).
‘Apparently Birt happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time on Sunday afternoon. Virginia saw him and handbagged him. She really was very cross.’
“An autistic woman who arrived at a work away day with a “quirky but fashionable handbag” actually attended with a deeply embarrassing lunchbox, according to witnesses.”
— Bluesky· May 2026“#JacksonJOJAXS - The Ultimate Daily Style Guide Featuring Luxury Fashion Tips, Best Designer Dresses & Top Handbag Essentials ✨ #JJX #JJXbeauty #luxuryfashion #frenchgirlstyle #frenchfashion”
— Bluesky· May 2026“First, it was the Michael microphone soda cup that blew the hell up when you put Pepsi in it. Now, it's the Devil Wears Prada 2 purse that electrocutes you for daring to put imitation butter in a designer handbag.”
— Bluesky· May 2026“You have the comedic chops of a leather handbag and the vocabulary of a hockey puck. Get on my level or go home, Martha.”
— Bluesky· May 2026“but to answer the Q: a conspiracy I 100% believe is that designers intentionally don't put pockets on women's clothing so Big Handbag can sell overpriced purses.”
— Bluesky· May 2026
Comments
(chiefly, Commonwealth) A small bag used chiefly by women for carrying various small personal items, sometimes considered as a fashion accessory.
Comments
(now, rare) A small bag carried in the hand, used either when travelling or to carry tools for a specific job.
Handbag means: A small bag carried in the hand, used either when travelling or to carry tools for a specific job.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
handbag means: A small bag carried in the hand, used either when travelling or to carry tools for a specific job.. Register: neutral, standard English. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.
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Other words near "handbag" (H)
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Related terms
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Semantically related
- handbagging93%
(UK, humorous) A verbal attack or criticism.
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(British, slang) Said jocularly in response to a particularly derogatory, bitchy or catty dialogue; calm down; cool it.
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(UK, slang) An insignificant fight or argument.
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(UK, slang) A man exploited by a woman as an escort to social events.