handbag
gb/hˈændbˌæɡ/ us/hˈændbˌæɡ/
A2
English
kézitáska, kézitáskával megüt, kioszt
NOUN
A2
1
kézitáska
A2
Usage pattern:
[someone] carries [a handbag]; [someone] puts [something] in [their] handbag
She put her phone back in her handbag and headed for the door.
Visszatette a telefonját a kézitáskájába, és elindult az ajtó felé.
I left my handbag on the chair and someone took it.
A széken hagytam a kézitáskámat, és valaki elvitte.
He bought her a new handbag for her birthday.
Learner examples
My keys are in my handbag.
A kulcsaim a kézitáskámban vannak.
She has a red handbag.
Van egy piros kézitáskája.
Common mistake:
In American English, purse is often used for the same thing; handbag is especially common in British English. Also, it is usually written as one word (handbag).
Meaning
small bag for personal items
Collocations
carry a handbag
|a leather handbag
|a designer handbag
|a small handbag
|a black handbag
|a handbag strap
|a handbag handle
|rummage in your handbag
|leave your handbag
|a handbag full of (things)
Synonyms
purse (Common American English word for a handbag.)
|
pocketbook (American English; can mean handbag, though it may sound old-fashioned in some places.)
|
bag (More general; not specifically a small personal bag.)
Antonyms
backpack (A bag carried on the back rather than in the hand.)
|
briefcase (A structured case typically used for work documents.)
Themes
daily_life
|fashion
|shopping
|travel
Definition
a small bag that you carry in your hand or on your arm
A small bag, usually carried by a woman, used for carrying personal items such as a wallet, keys, and phone.
VERB
C1
INFORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] handbags [someone]
She handbagged him when he tried to grab her purse.
Amikor a férfi megpróbálta elragadni a táskáját, a nő megütötte a kézitáskájával.
A furious passenger reportedly handbagged the man who pushed in line.
A hírek szerint egy dühös utas kézitáskával ütötte meg azt a férfit, aki befurakodott a sorba.
Learner examples
She handbagged the thief.
Kézitáskájával megütötte a tolvajt.
Common mistake:
This verb use is much less common than the noun and can sound humorous or British.
Meaning
hit someone with a handbag
Collocations
handbag someone
|handbag attack
|get handbagged
|handbag him on the head
|handbag her in the face
Synonyms
hit (More general; does not specify the object used.)
|
whack (Informal; suggests a quick, forceful hit.)
Antonyms
hug (Shows affection rather than physical aggression.)
|
protect (Acts to keep someone safe rather than harm them.)
Themes
conflict
|daily_life
Definition
to hit someone with a handbag
To strike someone with a handbag, usually in a sudden or angry way.
VERB
C1
INFORMAL
3
kioszt
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] handbags [someone] (over [something])
The prime minister handbagged her own party over the leaked report.
A miniszterelnök keményen kiosztotta a saját pártját a kiszivárgott jelentés miatt.
He was handbagged in the meeting for missing the deadline.
A megbeszélésen keményen kiosztották, amiért nem tartotta be a határidőt.
Learner examples
The manager handbagged him for being late.
A főnök keményen kiosztotta, amiért elkésett.
Common mistake:
This is a figurative use; it does not mean a real handbag is involved.
Meaning
criticize forcefully (British usage)
Collocations
handbag someone over (something)
|handbagging by (a leader)
|handbag a minister
|handbag a colleague
|get handbagged in a meeting
Synonyms
reprimand (More formal and neutral; less vivid.)
|
tear into (Informal; emphasizes aggressive verbal criticism.)
|
dress down (Often workplace-focused; suggests a stern telling-off.)
Antonyms
praise (Expresses approval rather than criticism.)
|
back up (Supports someone rather than attacking them.)
Themes
politics
|communication
|conflict
Definition
to strongly criticize someone in public
To criticize, confront, or dominate someone forcefully and publicly, especially in politics; often used in British English.
Grammar
Dictionary form
handbag
IPA
GB/hˈændbˌæɡ/
US/hˈændbˌæɡ/
Syllables & stress
hand - bag (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (hand)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: handbag
- Plural: handbags
Word family
Expressions
handbags at dawn
1/hˈændbˌæɡz ˈæt dˈɔn/
idiom
informal
petty quarrel between women
used to say two women are going to argue
Examples
- When they saw each other at the reunion, it was handbags at dawn within minutes.
- Put them on the same project and it’s handbags at dawn every week.
Learner examples
- It was handbags at dawn after the meeting.