in the bag

What is the origin of the idiom "in the bag" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "in the bag" is actually uncertain, but there are a few theories about its origins. One theory is that it comes from the world of hunting, where a hunter who successfully shoots and kills an animal would place it in a bag to carry it home, implying a successful hunt. Another theory is that the idiom comes from the sport of horseshoes, where a horseshoe that lands in the scoring area is "in the bag" and scores points for the player, indicating definite success. The idiom is used more generally to describe a situation where achieving success or victory is considered certain or very likely.