To sandbag a deal means for a salesperson or someone to hold back their deals to undermine their forecast and lower the managements expectations.
A person sandbagging a deal ultimately closes or reports those deals later on and typically gives the impression of over performance.
In short sandbagging a deal is a matter of underselling a deal's potential.
Sandbagging is not a derogatory term and simply means to bully someone or coerce someone so that they can gain something they want.
The expression sandbagger came from and had originated from the late 1880s.
At that time, to sandbag someone meant to sneak on another person from behind and beat them with a sandbag.
Sandbagging in slang means to coerce or deceive someone in order to get something that you want.
An example of sandbagging someone would be to pretend that you're terrible at basketball just so you could beat your friend in one on one which means that you sandbagged your friend.
If a person deliberately misleads you to get what they want, then they are a sandbagger and are sandbagging you.
Or if you pretend not to know how to play pool so your opponent will bet money on a game, you're a sandbagger.
Sandbaggers deceive others about their real intentions or abilities, or otherwise use deception to gain something.
The term “Sandbagging” had originated from the late 1880s.
At that time, to sandbag someone meant to sneak on another person from behind and beat them with a sandbag.
These days, the term sandbagging someone has got other more positive meanings penetrating in business.
Sandbaggers can be considered glorified con artists and sandbagging is generally seen as unethical because it involves deceiving others.
In short, it's a hustle.
Indicators that someone is a sandbagger include.
Exaggerated and disingenuous expressions of surprise and seemingly heartfelt appreciation.
Conversations intended to confront inequitable behavior and instigate change are punctuated by “Oh! Oh?,” an abundance of “Thank yous,” and a few “I learn so much from you.