Usage patterns
砂を掘るto dig in the sand
The children dug in the sand and played.
目に砂が入るto get sand in one's eye
A strong wind blew sand into my eye.
〈場所〉に砂が積もるfor sand to pile up in a place
Sand had piled up at the entrance.
砂を落とすto shake off/remove sand
I shook the sand off my shoes before entering the house.
Expressions
砂を吐くほどso romantic it makes you want to vomit; sickeningly sweet (romance) 砂を噛むようtasteless; dry as dust; insipid; flat; dull 後足で砂をかけるto do something spiteful as one leaves; to take a parting shot