“Pound Sand” Meaning, Origin and Examples

Last updated on October 11, 2024 by Liam Daniel

You may have heard someone use the term pound sand during a conversation and questioned what it was they were talking about. If so, we are now going to take a look at what this saying means and where it originally came from. We are also going to look at some examples of sentences and conversations in which the phrase features to better understand its use.

“Pound Sand” Meaning, Origin and Usage

Key Takeaways

  • The phrase “pound sand” is a colloquial expression that means to go away or to engage in a futile or pointless activity. It is often used as a dismissive or contemptuous response to someone, suggesting that their request or complaint is not worth the speaker’s time or consideration.
Pound Sand
Pound Sand – Created by 7ESL

“Pound Sand” Meaning

The phrase “pound sand” is a colloquial expression used to dismiss someone or tell them to go away in a rude or contemptuous manner. It suggests that the person should engage in a futile or meaningless task instead of bothering the speaker. Essentially, it implies that the individual is not worth the speaker’s time or attention.

Examples:

  • “If you think I’m going to change my mind, you can just go pound sand!”
  • “When he asked for a favor after being rude all week, I told him to pound sand.”

Origin of This Idiom

The idiom pound sand originally dates back to around 1912 in midwestern America. The phrase refers to the pounding of sand down an animal hole, which is a pointless job to do.

Usage of “Pound Sand”

  • In response to a complaint:

“When he asked for special treatment, I told him to pound sand; everyone follows the same rules.”

  • In a casual conversation:

“If he thinks I’m going to help him after the way he treated me, he can pound sand!”

  • Expressing frustration:

“She was upset about not getting the promotion, but I suggested she just pound sand and keep working hard.”

  • During an argument:

“I don’t have time for your drama; just pound sand and let me get on with my day.”

Related Terms to “Pound Sand”

  • Get lost – a direct way of telling someone to leave or go away.
  • Buzz off – an informal phrase telling someone to leave you alone.
  • Take a hike – a colloquial way to tell someone to go away or get lost.
  • Scram – an imperative to leave quickly or suddenly.
  • Shove off – a phrase meaning to depart or leave, often used dismissively.
  • Go fly a kite – a humorous or lighthearted way to tell someone to go away.
  • Hit the road – a phrase used to tell someone to leave.
  • Beat it – a slang expression meaning to leave quickly or get out.
  • Take a long walk off a short pier – a humorous way to suggest someone should go away, implying they won’t be missed.
  • Kiss off – an informal expression meaning to dismiss someone or reject their advances.

Other Ways to Say the Idiom

There are many other ways in which you could express the meaning of the term pound sand. Here are some examples of things you might say which have the same meaning.

  • Go play in traffic
  • Go and pound salt
  • Go pound sand

“Pound Sand” Examples

Examples in Statements

There are many times you might hear the phrase pound sand being used. Here are some examples of sentences in which it might be seen.

The first statement is being made by an employer.

  • Gary keeps asking for a raise, I told him to go pound sand.

This next statement is being made by a brother to his sister.

  • You can keep asking me all day, it is never happening, you might as well go and pound sand.

Conversation Examples

If you are curious to see how the term pound sand can work in a conversation, here are some examples to show what you might hear.

The first conversation is taking place between two friends.

  • Person 1: “I was thinking of asking Clare out on a date.”
  • Person 2: “You don’t stand a chance with her.”
  • Person 1: “I think I do.”
  • Person 2: “Keep kidding yourself, you’d be better off going to pound sand.”

This next conversation is occurring between two work colleagues.

  • Person 1: “Can you please stop doing that on those emails?”
  • Person 2: “I don’t see the problem.”
  • Person 1: “I do, you’re the problem.”
  • Person 2: “Oh go pound sand will you.”
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