What Does the Gen Z Slang “In My Bag” Mean?

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Plus, examples to help you drop this slang into a conversation

Co-authored by Aimee Payne, MFA Reviewed by Candace Gasper

Last Updated: September 4, 2024 Fact Checked

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Meanings of “In My Bag”

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Using “In My Bag”

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Other Ways to Say “In My Bag"

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Similar Slang Terms

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Where did “in my bag” come from?

Have you heard the phrase “in my bag” on social media and wondered what it means? Well, you’ve come to the right place! “In my bag” is a Gen Z slang term that has a few different meanings. One of the most common ways the phrase is used is to describe having an intense focus on a task. This article covers additional meanings, possible origins, and other ways to say the same thing.

What Does “In My Bag” Mean?

“In my bag” has several different meanings, including being intently focused on something or having sad feelings. The phrase may be connected to the hip-hop slang “secure the bag,” which means “working to meet your goals.”

Section 1 of 5:

Meanings of “In My Bag”

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“In my bag” means to be intently focused on something. It’s connected to the idea that you’re making money or trying really hard to make money by getting a handle on your responsibilities. The term also implies that you’re doing something you’re really good at. ^{[1]
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- The phrase may also give the impression that you’re unstoppable in a specific area.
- Some believe the “bag” in this phrase refers to a money bag.
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An alternate meaning is that you’re feeling sad or emotional. Saying “I’m in my bag” can also imply that you’re feeling upset. You’re in a bad mood or depressed about something, possibly your financial situation. ^{[2]
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- Some feel that it means you’re worried about yourself or focused on your problems.

Section 2 of 5:

Using “In My Bag”

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Use “in my bag” to discuss your interests or financial situation. When using this phrase to mean an intense focus, you might be talking about pursuing your interests, working hard to make money, or focusing on your personal goals. Here are a few examples:
- “She can’t come out tonight. She’s rehearsing for the dance recital, so she’s really in her bag right now.”
- “I was in my bag all weekend, studying for this physics exam, so I aced it.”
- “He’s going to Europe at the end of the summer. He’s in his bag all the time, so he’ll have plenty of cash for his trip.”
- “Shellie has a beautiful voice. She’s in her bag every time she walks on stage.”
- “Trent was so in his bag playing that game, it took me 10 minutes to get his attention.”
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Say “in my bag” when referring to your negative feelings. This phrase is used to describe your own feelings or ask about another person’s bad mood. It can also refer to anxiety about money Examples of how to use “in my bag” to refer to feelings are:
- “Corey got dumped this weekend, so he’s really in his bag right now.”
- “Angela’s in her bag. She just found out the concert sold out in 15 minutes, so she can’t go.”
- “I was looking at old pictures of my grandma last night and got all in my bag.”
- “You’ve been moping around a lot lately. You’re really in your bag.”
- “Don’t call Jay. He’s been in his bag all week and needs time to work his way out.”

Section 3 of 5:

Other Ways to Say “In My Bag"

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Several phrases have a similar meaning to “in my bag.” When you want to talk about being focused on your goals, working hard, or feeling sad and depressed, there are several options to choose from, such as:
- Intense Focus & Hard Work
 - “Tunnel vision” - You’re so focused that you only see what’s directly ahead of you.
 - “In your own world” - Your intense focus makes it seem like you’re transported to a different world just for you.
 - “In the zone” - Being in a mental state that lets you work to the best of your abilities.
 - “On your grind” - You’re working hard to achieve a goal.
 - “Locking in” - You’re extremely focused on achieving a goal.
- Sadness & Depression
 - “In your feelings” - This means something is bothering you or causing emotional distress.
 - “Menty B” - This slang term is short for mental breakdown. Some feel this term is insensitive to people with a mental health disorder. Others believe it destigmatizes mental health issues.
 - “Stressy depressy” - You’re both stressed and depressed.
 - “Grippy sock vacation” - This term refers to the socks worn during a stay in a mental health facility. This term is controversial. Some believe it stigmatizes mental illness, while others feel it normalizes mental health issues.
 - “Touch grass” - This term means that you’ve reached an emotional state where you should stop doomscrolling on social media and go outside to breathe fresh air and touch the grass.