Meanings
sod's law1
- alternativeuncountableAlternative spelling of Sod's law.
Sod's law2
- UKThe principle that what can go wrong, will go wrong, usually with some observed degree of irony
It's Sod's law that it will rain when going for a picnic.
1 more example
It was amazing and typical of Sod's Law, the moment I turned for home, the wind direction would not only change, but be the complete reverse.
2013, Allen Carr, The Easy Way to Enjoy Flying, Penguin UK, →ISBNSynonyms: Murphy's law, Finagle's law
Sod's Law3
- alternativeuncountableAlternative spelling of Sod's law.
Synonyms & antonyms
proper nounThe principle that what can go wrong, will go wrong, usually with some observed degree of irony
More synonyms by meaning
nounhumorous axiom stating that anything that can go wrong will go wrong
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Origin
Perhaps from unlucky sod.
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Czech zákon schválnosti
- zákon schválnostirule — see also Murphy's law
French loi de l'emmerdement maximum
- loi de l'emmerdement maximumrule — see also Murphy's law
Polish prawo Soda
- prawo Sodarule — see also Murphy's law
Russian зако́н подлости
- зако́н подлости (zakón podlosti)rule — see also Murphy's law
Cite this entry
sod's law. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/sod's%20law
“sod's law.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/sod's%20law. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “sod's law,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/sod's%20law.
Source: sod's law on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.