/ sɒk; NAmE sɑːk/ noun , verb
■ noun
1.
a piece of clothing that is worn over the foot, ankle and lower part of the leg, especially inside a shoe :
a pair of socks
2.
( informal ) a strong blow, especially with the fist :
He gave him a sock on the jaw.
•
IDIOMS
- blow / knock sb's socks off
- put a sock in it
—more at pull verb
■ verb
[ vn ] ( informal ) to hit sb hard :
She got angry and socked him in the mouth.
( figurative )
The banks are socking customers with higher charges.
•
IDIOMS
- sock it to sb
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PHRASAL VERBS
- sock sth away
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English socc light shoe , of Germanic origin, from Latin soccus comic actor's shoe, light low-heeled slipper, from Greek sukkhos .