block off
phrasal verb·2 senses·particle off
Meanings
Close off an area or route to prevent access
Why “off”? A piece detaches from the whole. Contact with the body is broken.
“Police blocked off the street.”
“Fallen rocks blocked off the path.”
Reserve a period of time for a specific purpose
“I've blocked off Friday for writing.”
“She blocked off the morning for calls.”
Don't confuse with
Block off means close off an area or route to prevent access. Block out means stop light, noise, or a thought from reaching you.
Test yourself
“Police blocked off the street.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
block out
A contrast learners often mix up
Stop light, noise, or a thought from reaching you
back off
Same off pattern: separation
Move away from someone or something, often in retreat; Stop pressuring or interfering with someone; Withdraw from a previous position or commitment
bite off
Same off pattern: separation
Remove a piece of something by biting it; Take on more than you can handle ("bite off more than you can chew"); Speak sharply and curtly
blow off
Same off pattern: separation
Be removed by force, especially wind; Cancel plans or fail to meet someone deliberately; Release strong feelings, especially anger; Remove dust or particles by blowing air on them
break off
Same off pattern: separation
End a relationship, talk or activity suddenly; Detach a piece from something larger by breaking; End diplomatic, business or personal contact; Take a short pause from an activity
brush off
Same off pattern: separation
Dismiss something or someone as unimportant; Remove dust or dirt by sweeping it lightly; Refuse to talk to someone politely
chip off
Same off pattern: separation
Break a small piece from something
clear off
Same off pattern: separation
Leave a place quickly, often when told to; Remove items from a surface; Pay off a debt completely
Practice “block off” in Sink In
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