sop: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2 (Low-frequency outside of idioms/metaphorical use or specific culinary contexts)Formal/Literary (for metaphorical use); Neutral (for literal culinary use); Informal/Technical (for acronym SOP)
Quick answer
What does “sop” mean?
A piece of food soaked in liquid before being eaten or offered.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A piece of food soaked in liquid before being eaten or offered; something given to pacify or bribe, often seen as insignificant.
In a general sense, something of little value or substance offered to appease someone; can refer to a conciliatory gesture or bribe. In computing, 'SOP' is an acronym for Standard Operating Procedure.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in the core meaning. The acronym SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) is equally common in both technical/business registers.
Connotations
The metaphorical use ('a sop to...') is more common in UK political/journalistic language.
Frequency
Generally low frequency in both dialects. The literal sense is archaic in both.
Grammar
How to Use “sop” in a Sentence
[give/offer/throw] [ind. obj] a sopa sop to [sb/sth]sop up [liquid]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sop” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The policy was dismissed as a mere sop to the backbenchers.
- He dipped a sop of bread into the stew.
American English
- The subsidy is just a sop to the farming lobby.
- She used a biscuit as a sop for the sauce.
verb
British English
- He sopped up the spilled tea with a kitchen towel.
- The sponge quickly sopped the water from the counter.
American English
- She sopped up the last of the syrup with her pancake.
- Use paper towels to sop the grease from the bacon.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorical: 'The tax cut was a sop to small business owners.' Acronym: 'Follow the SOP for client onboarding.'
Academic
Used in literary analysis or historical texts referring to appeasement.
Everyday
Rare. 'I used bread to sop up the gravy.'
Technical
Primarily as the acronym SOP (Standard Operating Procedure).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sop”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sop”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sop”
- Using 'sop' as a common verb (use 'soak up', 'mop up'). Confusing it with 'soap' in speech. Overusing the metaphorical sense in everyday language.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Its literal use is archaic. Its metaphorical use ('a sop to someone') is found in formal writing (politics, journalism) but is not everyday vocabulary. The acronym SOP is common in technical/business English.
A 'sop' implies the thing offered is of little real value or is a token gesture intended to quiet dissatisfaction. A 'bribe' is specifically an illicit payment to influence someone's actions. A sop can be a type of bribe, but not all bribes are mere sops (they can be substantial).
Yes, 'to sop' means to soak up or absorb a liquid, typically with something absorbent like bread or a cloth. It is less common than phrases like 'mop up' or 'soak up'.
It comes from Greek and Roman mythology. Cerberus was the three-headed dog guarding the entrance to the Underworld. The dead would be buried with a cake (a 'sop') to placate Cerberus so they could pass safely. It now means a bribe offered to a dangerous opponent to secure safe passage or quiet.
A piece of food soaked in liquid before being eaten or offered.
Sop is usually formal/literary (for metaphorical use); neutral (for literal culinary use); informal/technical (for acronym sop) in register.
Sop: in British English it is pronounced /sɒp/, and in American English it is pronounced /sɑːp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A sop to Cerberus (a bribe to a dangerous person)”
- “Throw a sop to the wolves”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a piece of bread SOaking uP gravy. A politician offers this soggy bread (a SOP) to quiet a complaining group.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONCILIATION/APPEASEMENT IS OFFERING FOOD (especially of poor quality).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common modern use of 'SOP' in a professional context?