sod
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a piece of earth with grass and its roots growing in it.
n.the surface layer of ground containing grass and its matted roots; often refers to sections of turf cut for lawns.
Simple“We laid fresh sod in the backyard to create a new lawn for the summer.”
In context“The landscaper recommended installing pre-cut sod rather than sowing seed to ensure the slope remained stable during the spring rains.”
- 02 C1 Advanced
n.a slang word for a person, usually someone you find annoying or someone you feel sorry for.
n.a person, typically one viewed with pity, affection, or mild annoyance; often modified by adjectives like 'poor' or 'lucky'.
Simple“The poor sod had to walk home in the pouring rain because he missed the bus.”
In context“He is a lucky sod to have landed such a prestigious role without any prior experience in the industry.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
v.a rude way to say you do not care about something or to tell someone to go away.
v.used as a mild expletive to express dismissal, annoyance, or to curse something; frequently appears in the imperative.
Simple“I've been trying to fix this computer for hours; sod it, I'm going to bed.”
In context“He decided to sod the consequences and speak his mind during the board meeting, regardless of the potential fallout.”
From Middle English sod, sodde first attested in the mid-15th century, from Middle Dutch zoden (“turf”) or Middle Low German sôde, soede (“turf”), both related to Dutch zode (“turf”), German Sode (“turf”), Old Frisian sātha (“sod”), all being of uncertain ultimate origin.
Clipping of sodomite or sodomize.
From the Old English plural past tense, or a back-formation from the past participle sodden.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.