ENGLISH
REFERENCE

gapers' block

idiom
Meaning

A traffic jam resulting from motorists slowing to look at a motor vehicle collision or other roadside distraction.


Examples
SIMPLE

Traffic is slow because of a gapers' block ahead.

CONTEXTUAL

We were late to the meeting because a minor accident on the highway caused a massive gapers' block.

COMPLEX

Commuters grew increasingly frustrated as the flow of traffic ground to a halt, trapped in a long gapers' block caused by onlookers staring at the wreckage.

Anchors to
Related idioms4entries
  1. 01

    block out

    to prevent (a thought) from entering one's mind.

  2. 02

    chip off the old block

    Someone who takes after one of their parents; (generally) a person similar to another.

  3. 03

    knock someone's block off

    To strike a person in the head, causing them to fall to the ground, especially in an unconscious condition; to beat up a person.

  4. 04

    new kid on the block

    Someone or something new to an existing community.

© 2026 English Reference