Sack
/sæk/
Definitions
4 meaningsA large bag used for storage or carrying.
/sæk/
A large bag made of strong paper, cloth, or plastic, used for storing and carrying goods.
The delivery man dropped a sack of flour at the bakery.
💡 Simply: Imagine a big bag, like the ones used at the grocery store or to hold your toys. A sack is like that! It helps you carry a bunch of things at once.
👶 For kids: A big bag for carrying things like groceries or toys.
More Examples
He carried the groceries home in a paper sack.
The children collected leaves in a large burlap sack.
How It's Used
"The farmer filled the sack with potatoes for market."
"She put the laundry in a sack."
To dismiss someone from their job.
/sæk/
To dismiss someone from a job.
The manager was sacked for poor performance.
💡 Simply: When you 'sack' someone, it means you're telling them they can't work there anymore, like firing them.
👶 For kids: To tell someone they can't work at their job anymore.
More Examples
The company sacked a number of employees during the recession.
The coach was sacked after the team lost several games.
How It's Used
"The company had to sack several employees due to financial difficulties."
"The mayor decided to sack the city manager after the scandal."
To plunder and destroy a place, especially after a victory.
/sæk/
To plunder and destroy (a town or building), especially after a victory.
The invading army threatened to sack the city if it did not surrender.
💡 Simply: To sack a place is to take over and steal everything, and often destroy it too.
👶 For kids: To steal and break things in a place, like a town.
More Examples
History remembers the Roman sack of Carthage as a brutal act.
The rebels planned to sack the government buildings.
How It's Used
"After the siege, the victorious army was allowed to sack the city."
"The invaders proceeded to sack the castle, taking everything of value."
The act of being dismissed from a job
/sæk/
The act of being fired.
He was fearful of getting the sack.
💡 Simply: When someone gets a sack, they lose their job.
👶 For kids: When you lose your job.
More Examples
The recent layoffs were due to the company anticipating the sack for many employees.
The executive received the sack after the scandal broke out.
How It's Used
"The manager received his sack at the end of the week."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
hit the sack
To go to bed or go to sleep.
"I'm exhausted; I'm going to hit the sack early tonight."
From Old English *sacc*, ultimately from Latin *saccus*, meaning 'bag'.
Used in Middle English to refer to a large bag or container, and in historical contexts to describe the plundering of cities and fortresses.
Memory tip
Think of a potato sack, used to hold a lot of things!
Word Origin
"a large bag"