to give a prod

3.9

Encourage someone gently to start doing something

phrasal verb

: dar un empujón

With a gentle prod, she encouraged her friend to start writing his novel.

Examples

She gave him a prod to remind him to submit his application on time.
The coach gave a prod to the players, urging them to pick up the pace during practice.
I just nipped in to give a prod to that fan you reported out of order.

S.O.S. Titanic (1980)

Synonyms

to encourage

vsto give a prod

∞ 2.3

Give someone support and confidence so they try or keep doing something

is a brief reminder or light push rather than broad support

to persuade

vsto give a prod

472 2.7

To make someone agree or do something by giving reasons

works as an immediate gentle push rather than reasoned argument

to prompt

vsto give a prod

217 3.6

Make someone do or say something

is more a small physical or verbal push than broad prompting

to spur

vsto give a prod

81 4.1

To encourage someone to take action or try harder

is milder and acts as a small push rather than strong motive

to coax

vsto give a prod

54 4.1

To gently persuade someone by being kind and patient

relies on a quicker light push instead of slow patient persuasion

to nudge

vsto give a prod

24 4.1

To gently encourage someone to try something new

is a single light push rather than repeated gentle pestering

to cajole

vsto give a prod

15 7.7

To persuade someone to do something by gentle talk and praise

is a simple brief push not sustained flattery or long appeals

to prod

vsto give a prod

8 3.6

To push someone a little to make them start doing something

offers a softer, brief push to prompt someone to act

to give a kick

vsto give a prod

4.8

Make something start or move forward more quickly

is much gentler, offering only a light physical or verbal push

Antonyms

to discourage

257 3.5

To try to stop something by making people less willing to do it

to hinder

75 3.6

To make it difficult for people or things to do something

How Forceful

shove

31 2.7

to push

958 1.1

to give a prod

3.9

to nudge

24 4.1

Surface Forms

give a prod infinitive

gave a prod past

given a prod past participle

giving a prod present participle

gives a prod third person singular

Morphology

give + a + prod

The meaning is directly derivable from combining 'give' (to provide or apply) with 'prod' (a poke or gentle urge); the indefinite article 'a' does not change the compositional relation. This verb + noun collocation follows familiar English patterns (akin to 'give a push' or 'give a nudge') and would be understandable to a B1 learner who knows the constituent words.

Etymology

Give a prod comes from the picture of poking an animal with a stick: to give it a prod made it move. So today to give a prod means to give a small push or a quick word to 'encourage' someone to act.