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pound sand. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
pound sand, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
pound sand in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
pound sand you have here. The definition of the word
pound sand will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
pound sand, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
Probably originating as a mild insult, as the act of pounding sand is considered not only to be a menial task, but also one which causes no fruition, therefore suggesting those who perform it are somehow hopelessly mentally impaired.
Pronunciation
Verb
pound sand (third-person singular simple present pounds sand, present participle pounding sand, simple past and past participle pounded sand)
- (idiomatic) To engage in a futile activity.
2010, Eric Blehm, The Only Thing Worth Dying For: How Eleven Green Berets Forged a New Afghanistan, HarperCollins, published 2010, →ISBN, page 44:[…] Without men on the ground, we'll be pounding sand."
2011, Donald Rumsfeld, Known and Unknown: A Memoir:He told Shelton we needed to "unleash holy hell." “We're not just going to pound sand,” he added.
- (idiomatic, dismissal) To go away; get lost; go to hell.
2003 March 15, Christopher Koch, “Showdown at the 6.0 Corral”, in CIO:"The price to us was going to be $3 million, and we had four months to pay before the Licensing 6.0 deadline. We told Microsoft to go pound sand."
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