sop to Cerberus

sop to Cer·be·rus

-ˈsərb(ə)rəs

: a concession or bribe to conciliate a person otherwise liable to be troublesome

Word History

Etymology

after Cerberus, 3-headed dog guarding the entrance to Hades; from the sop given him by Aeneas in Vergil's Aeneid (6,417) to engage his attention while Aeneas slipped by

Cite this Entry

Style

“Sop to Cerberus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sop%20to%20Cerberus. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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