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Learn more English in a Minute
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(Clips: Getty)
Introduction
You might already know a couple of meanings of 'block' – an apartment building, or a piece of hard material like a brick. But do you know these four other meanings? Get to know the word 'block' with Phil!
4 meanings of 'block'
space between two city streets
A block is the space between two streets in a city. It's a place you live on, or a way of measuring distance in a city.
- We can walk. It's only two blocks away.
- Yes, I know Maria. We grew up on the same block.
something that stops you
A block can be something that stops you from doing something, often something that stops you having ideas.
- I've got writer's block. I don't know what to write.
- I need to revise for this test but I just can't seem to start. Maybe I'll go for a walk first to get over this mental block.
stop something from moving
If you block something, you stop it from moving in a certain direction.
- We can't go that way – the road's blocked!
- Don't pour cooking fats down the sink or you will block the pipes!
stop someone contacting you
If you block someone, it means you stop them from sending you messages or contacting you by phone or social media.
- If they keep bothering you, just block them.
- I had to block him because he kept sending me unwanted messages.
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Download a free transcript!
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TRANSCRIPT
Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript.
Phil
What do you know about the word 'block'? I'm sure you know this meaning... but what about these? It's not just somewhere you can live in, but it's somewhere you can live on. A block can be the space between two streets in a city, and we even use that as a measure of distance.
Example
We can walk – it's only two blocks away.
Phil
A block can be something that's stopping you. It's often something that stops you having ideas.
Example
I've got writer's block. I don't know what to write.
Phil
The verb block is also about stopping things. If a road or a pipe is blocked, nothing can move along them.
Example
We can't go that way – the road's blocked!
Phil
When talking about online platforms, blocking someone means stopping them from sending you messages.
Example
If they keep bothering you, just block them.
Phil
These are four meanings of 'block'. Learn them today!
Next
Learn more idiomatic language in The English We Speak.
Find our latest programmes here.
Do you live in a block of flats or somewhere else? Learn more language to talk about where you live.
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