Sack

As a Noun

1. A large bag made of cloth, paper, or plastic, used for storing or carrying things.
2. The act of dismissing someone from their job (informal).
3. In historical contexts, the looting or destruction of a city by an invading army.
4. A slang term for going to sleep (e.g., “hit the sack”).

As a Verb

1. To dismiss someone from their job (informal).
2. To loot or plunder a place, often violently.
3. In sports, to tackle the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage (American football).

As Other Form

• Sacking (Noun): The act of dismissing someone or looting a place.

Word History

The word sack comes from the Latin saccus, meaning “bag,” which passed through Old French into English. The meaning of “dismissal from a job” likely comes from the idea of workers packing their belongings into a sack upon being fired. The term for looting originates from the practice of soldiers carrying away stolen goods in sacks.

Examples

1. He carried a sack of potatoes from the market.
2. The company gave him the sack after repeated mistakes.
3. The city was sacked by the invading army.
4. After a long day, she was ready to hit the sack.

Synonyms

Bag, pouch, firing, dismissal, looting

Related Words

Plunder, discharge, tackle, pack, steal

Antonyms

Hire, protect, keep, restore, employ