This is the 1309th most frequent Russian word.
смог
"Смог" means "smog" (air pollution).
Here, "смог" indicates an individual's success in completing an action, specifically finishing a project on time. It is the past tense of the verb "смочь," meaning "to be able to," and here it emphasizes accomplishment.
Я смог закончить проект вовремя.
I managed to finish the project on time.
In this context, "смог" refers to a noun meaning "smog," which is atmospheric pollution. This shows the word's different usage as a noun outside of its verbal form.
Город был покрыт густым смогом.
The city was covered in thick smog.
Here, "смог" appears in a subordinate clause as part of a reported speech. This form is used to express past capability or completion of an action.