Phrasal verb
block off
Definition
phrasal verb. to close a road or an opening so that people or cars cannot pass through it.
phrasal verb. to obstruct or seal an entrance, exit, or thoroughfare to prevent access or passage; often involves physical barriers.
Examples
“The police block off the street for the parade.”
“Workers had to block off the main entrance while they repaired the broken glass in the lobby.”
“Authorities decided to block off the entire perimeter to ensure that the investigation could proceed without interference from the public.”
Examples
simple
“The police block off the street for the parade.”
contextual
“Workers had to block off the main entrance while they repaired the broken glass in the lobby.”
complex
“Authorities decided to block off the entire perimeter to ensure that the investigation could proceed without interference from the public.”
Usage
commonly used with physical spaces like roads, entrances, or sections of a building.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'close off' which is very similar, but 'block' emphasizes the physical barrier used to stop movement.
Pitfall
They blocked off of the road.
They blocked off the road.
the particle 'off' is followed directly by the object without the preposition 'of'.
Phrasal verb
Particles
off
Separability
optional
Pattern
block + (object) + off
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/block-off