Phrasal verb
sod off
Definition
phrasal verb. a very rude way to tell someone to go away or leave you alone. You use this when you are angry or annoyed with someone.
phrasal verb. a highly informal and vulgar imperative used to dismiss someone abruptly. It functions as a British English dysphemism for 'go away'.
Examples
“I'm busy, so just sod off!”
“He kept asking me for money until I finally told him to sod off.”
“The intruder was met with a chorus of shouts telling him to sod off before the police were called to the premises.”
Examples
simple
“I'm busy, so just sod off!”
contextual
“He kept asking me for money until I finally told him to sod off.”
complex
“The intruder was met with a chorus of shouts telling him to sod off before the police were called to the premises.”
Usage
used almost exclusively as an imperative or in reported speech to describe a blunt dismissal.
Teaching tip
explain that while 'sod' is a mild swear word in British English, this phrase is aggressive and should be avoided in all professional or polite settings.
Pitfall
He sodded off the room.
He sodded off.
the phrase is intransitive and cannot take a direct object like a room or a person.
Phrasal verb
Particles
off
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
sod + off
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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