blocking
blocking — noun
1. the action of stopping something such as light, air, water, or an object from mo
the action of stopping something such as light, air, water, or an object from moving through a space or opening
The thick curtains provide good blocking of the morning sunlight.
blocking of + noun (light/sunlight)
Leaves in the gutter caused complete blocking of the rainwater pipe.
A doctor explained that the blocking of arteries can lead to serious heart problems.
The snowdrift created a blocking of the mountain pass that lasted for days.
- obstruction
more formal, can refer to either the action or the object causing it
- clearance
the opposite action — removing something that blocks
用法筆記
Often followed by 'of' + the thing that is prevented from moving.
2. the act of stopping a process, plan, or action from making progress or achieving
the act of stopping a process, plan, or action from making progress or achieving its goal
The opposition's blocking of the new law caused a month-long delay in parliament.
blocking of + [law/proposal/plan]
Deliberate blocking of the investigation made it impossible to find the truth.
Union members accused management of blocking any attempt to improve working conditions.
Diplomatic blocking by three countries prevented the resolution from passing.
- obstruction
similar but can describe the obstacle itself rather than the action
- hindrance
often weaker — something that slows rather than stops
- facilitation
formal — the act of making something easier
用法筆記
Common in political, legal, and business contexts. Often refers to deliberate obstruction by a person or group.
3. in American football, the action of pushing or holding back opposing players so
in American football, the action of pushing or holding back opposing players so that the teammate carrying the ball can move forward
The offensive line's blocking was excellent, creating a big gap for the running back.
offensive line's blocking
Coach Miller spent the whole practice session drilling the team on proper blocking techniques.
Good blocking is just as important as running fast when you want to score a touchdown.
The referee called a penalty for illegal blocking during the second quarter of the game.
- tackling
different — tackling brings the player down, blocking just stops their movement
用法筆記
This sense is specific to American football. In soccer (football), the related term is 'tackling' or 'shielding'.
4. the arrangement and movement of actors on a stage or in front of a camera during
the arrangement and movement of actors on a stage or in front of a camera during a performance or film shoot
The director spent two hours working on the blocking for the final scene of the play.
blocking for + [scene/play]
Actress Linh Nguyen found the blocking tricky because she had to cross the stage while delivering a long speech.
The stage manager marked the blocking on the floor with small pieces of colored tape.
Clear blocking helps the camera crew know where each performer will be at every moment.
- staging
broader term that includes set design and overall visual composition
用法筆記
Used especially in theater and film production. Actors often receive a 'blocking chart' showing their positions.
blocking — verb
1. to stop someone or something from moving through or past a place by putting some
to stop someone or something from moving through or past a place by putting something in the way
A fallen tree blocked the mountain road, so the driver had to turn around.
block + [road/entrance/path]
The protestors blocked the entrance to the government building for nearly three hours.
Heavy traffic blocked the ambulance from reaching the hospital on time.
Yuki pushed the boxes aside because they were blocking the door to the storage room.
A large delivery van was blocking the driveway, and nobody could get their car out.
文法句型
block + noun phrase
用法筆記
Frequently used in passive: 'The road was blocked by snow.'
2. to stop something from happening, developing, or being achieved
to stop something from happening, developing, or being achieved
The committee voted to block the proposed merger between the two companies.
block + [proposal/plan/merger]
A lack of funding blocked the research team from continuing their important cancer study.
block [someone] from + verb-ing
New security measures were introduced to block any attempt to hack into the system.
The mayor's veto blocked the city council from passing the new housing law.
A sudden snowstorm blocked all efforts to rescue the climbers on the mountain.
- allow
to permit something to happen
- facilitate
to make something easier to achieve
文法句型
block + noun phrase
block + noun phrase + from + verb-ing
用法筆記
Often used in political, legal, and business contexts. The pattern 'block someone from doing something' is common.
3. to be in front of something so that it cannot be seen
to be in front of something so that it cannot be seen
A tall man in a hat sat in front of Amara and blocked her view of the stage.
block [someone's] view of
The new apartment building blocks the sunlight that used to reach our garden.
Thick clouds blocked the moon, leaving the campsite in complete darkness.
Mei-Lin held up her hand to block the glare of the sun from her eyes.
The tall hedge around the property blocks the neighbors' view of the swimming pool.
文法句型
block + noun phrase
用法筆記
Common with 'view', 'sight', 'light', 'sun'. Often used with 'from': 'block the sun from my eyes.'
4. to stop a system, process, or physical function from working normally
to stop a system, process, or physical function from working normally
A blood clot blocked the flow of blood to the patient's brain.
block the flow of + [blood/air/water]
The software update blocked the virus from entering the company's network.
Pipes blocked by grease buildup can cause serious water damage in a kitchen.
Painkillers work by blocking the signals that nerves send to the brain.
Dust had blocked the air filter, so the engine started to overheat.
- unblock
to remove an obstruction and restore function
文法句型
block + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often used in medical and technical contexts. Frequently in passive: 'The pipe is blocked.'
5. to officially prevent money, checks, or financial transactions from being used o
to officially prevent money, checks, or financial transactions from being used or exchanged
The bank blocked the check because the signature did not match the account holder's records.
block + [check/transaction/funds]
The government blocked all transfers of money out of the country during the financial crisis.
block + transfers of money
The fraud alert blocked the credit card transaction before any money could be taken.
International sanctions blocked the nation's access to foreign currency reserves.
- freeze
similar but suggests a temporary measure, often by legal order
- release
to make funds available again
文法句型
block + noun phrase
用法筆記
Formal term used in banking, finance, and international trade contexts. The passive form is common: 'The funds were blocked.'
6. in sports and games, to stop an opponent or an opponent's shot, kick, or move fr
in sports and games, to stop an opponent or an opponent's shot, kick, or move from being successful
The goalkeeper blocked the penalty kick and the crowd erupted in cheers.
block + [kick/shot/punch]
The defender moved quickly to block the striker's shot on goal.
In basketball, it is against the rules to block a player who is not shooting.
The boxer raised his gloves to block the punch aimed at his face.
Amir blocked well throughout the game, stopping three shots in the final minute.
- deflect
to change the direction of a shot rather than stopping it completely
- miss
to fail to stop a shot or opponent
文法句型
block + noun phrase
block (no object)
用法筆記
Can be used with or without an object. 'He blocked the shot' (transitive) or 'He blocked well today' (intransitive).
7. to prevent a user, device, website, phone number, or online content from being a
to prevent a user, device, website, phone number, or online content from being accessed or contacted
Santi blocked the unknown caller after receiving five spam calls in one hour.
block + [caller/number/user]
The school's network blocks social media websites during class hours.
block + [website/content/domain]
After the argument, Ananya blocked her ex-boyfriend on all social media platforms.
The ad blocker extension blocks pop-up advertisements while you browse the internet.
Countries that block certain websites often face criticism about internet freedom.
- ban
stronger — usually imposed by an authority rather than an individual
- unblock
to remove a block and restore access
文法句型
block + noun phrase
用法筆記
Very common in everyday digital contexts. 'Block someone' on social media means preventing them from contacting you or seeing your content.
8. to place ships, troops, or other barriers around a place to prevent people or su
to place ships, troops, or other barriers around a place to prevent people or supplies from entering or leaving
Enemy warships blocked the port, cutting off all food supplies to the coastal city.
block + [port/harbor/city]
During the war, the army blocked all roads leading out of the capital for three weeks.
Naval forces were ordered to block the strait and prevent any ships from passing through.
International law sets limits on how a nation may block another country's coastline.
文法句型
block + noun phrase
用法筆記
Also commonly used in the noun form 'blockade'. This sense has a stronger military connotation than general 'obstruct'.
9. to draw or mark the rough general shape or main lines of something before adding
to draw or mark the rough general shape or main lines of something before adding details
The artist first blocked in the basic shapes of the mountains with a light pencil.
block in + [shapes/forms]
Before painting, Ingrid blocked out the composition using broad strokes of charcoal.
block out + [composition/sketch]
The architect blocked the main rooms on the floor plan before worrying about the furniture.
Designers often block out the big sections of a webpage before adding text and images.
文法句型
block + noun phrase
block out/in + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often used with 'out' or 'in' as a phrasal verb: 'block out the main shapes' or 'block in the shadows.'
10. to give a particular shape to a piece of material such as felt, wood, or metal u
to give a particular shape to a piece of material such as felt, wood, or metal using a mold or form
The hat maker blocked the felt over a wooden form to create a classic fedora shape.
block + [felt/clay/metal] over a form
After knitting the sweater, she blocked it into shape by pinning it while it was damp.
block + [garment] into shape
The potter blocked the clay on the wheel before beginning to raise the walls of the vase.
- shape
more general — can refer to any forming process
文法句型
block + noun phrase
用法筆記
Technical term used in crafts such as hat-making, knitting, and pottery. Not common in everyday conversation.
11. to place a solid object under or against something to keep it in position or sto
to place a solid object under or against something to keep it in position or stop it from moving
The mechanic blocked the wheels of the truck before climbing underneath it to fix the brakes.
block the wheels
Lukas blocked the boat trailer with large stones so it would not roll down the slope.
block + [vehicle/trailer/wheel]
The stagehands blocked the heavy scenery flat with wooden wedges to keep it from falling.
- chock
more specific — to block a wheel on a vehicle or aircraft
- release
to free something from being held in place
文法句型
block + noun phrase
用法筆記
Also expressed as 'chock' in specialized contexts (aircraft, heavy machinery).
12. to plan and direct where actors stand and how they move during a performance or
to plan and direct where actors stand and how they move during a performance or scene
The director blocked the opening scene so that the main character enters from the left.
block + [scene/play/act]
During rehearsals, the stage manager carefully blocked every movement of the dancers.
The fight scene was blocked weeks in advance to ensure the actors' safety.
Zuri found it hard to remember her lines while also following the complicated blocking directions.
- stage
broader — can include lighting, sound, and set design
文法句型
block + noun phrase
用法筆記
Used mainly in theater, film, and television production. Also appears as a noun: 'the blocking of Act 2.'
13. to arrange lines of text so that they form a straight line at the left margin, r
to arrange lines of text so that they form a straight line at the left margin, right margin, or both
The editor asked the designer to block the text to the left margin rather than centering it.
block text to the margin
Most academic papers require you to block the text on both sides for a clean look.
block the text on both sides
The newsletter blocked all paragraphs to the left so that the design looked neat and modern.
- justify
more common in modern word-processing contexts — means aligning to both margins
- center
to place text in the middle of the page
文法句型
block + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often called 'justify' in word processing software. 'Block left' means the text is aligned to the left.
14. to hit a golf ball (or similar ball) inaccurately so that it flies to the right
to hit a golf ball (or similar ball) inaccurately so that it flies to the right for a right-handed player or to the left for a left-handed player
The amateur golfer blocked his drive into the trees on the right side of the fairway.
block + [drive/shot/ball]
Coach Diego noticed that his student was blocking every iron shot by turning his shoulders too early.
Yasmin blocked the ball toward the rough, losing at least thirty yards of distance.
- slice
more common term — the ball curves sideways due to spin
- draw
a controlled shot that curves slightly in the opposite direction
文法句型
block + noun phrase
用法筆記
Technical term in golf. Sometimes called a 'push' or 'slice.' Not used in general sports contexts.
15. to be unable to think, feel, or remember something due to a mental or emotional
to be unable to think, feel, or remember something due to a mental or emotional barrier that the person may not be aware of
Whenever the exam starts, my mind blocks and I cannot remember any of the answers I studied.
[mind/brain] blocks
The therapist explained that trauma survivors sometimes block painful memories without realizing it.
block + [memory/emotion/thought]
After losing his job, Theo blocked all thoughts about his career for several months.
The writer had been blocking on the final chapter for weeks and could not finish the novel.
Children who have experienced trauma may block certain events from their conscious memory.
- confront
to face a difficult thought or emotion directly
文法句型
block (no object)
block on + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often used with 'block out': 'She blocked out the painful experience.' Can also be reflexive in informal use: 'I'm blocking.'