Sacking Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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sacking

[ˈsækɪŋ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

football

The act of taking down a quarterback behind the line of scrimmage before he can throw a pass. Sacking the quarterback is a key part of a defensive strategy.

Synonyms

bring down, tackle, take down.

Examples of usage

  • The defensive end made a crucial sack in the final minutes of the game.
  • The team's defense had a total of five sacks in the first half.
Context #2 | Noun

workplace

The act of dismissing an employee from their job, typically as a result of poor performance or downsizing. Sacking can have significant impact on the morale of other employees.

Synonyms

dismissal, firing, termination.

Examples of usage

  • The company announced the sacking of several employees due to budget cuts.
  • She was devastated by her sudden sacking from the company.

Translations

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Origin of 'sacking'

The term 'sacking' originated from the Middle English word 'sak', meaning 'bag'. In the context of football, it was first used in the early 20th century to describe the act of tackling the quarterback behind the line of scrimmage. In the workplace context, 'sacking' has been used since the mid-19th century to refer to the act of dismissing an employee from their job.


See also: sack, sackbut, sacked.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,394, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.