block (redirected from blocks out)

be off the (starting) blocks

to have started an activity. Rival telephone companies were quick off the blocks with their reduced price offers. The project for rebuilding the theatre is now off the starting blocks.

a chip off the old block

if someone is a chip off the old block, they are very similar in character to one of their parents or to another older member of their family. Look at her bossing everyone around - she's a real chip off the old block! (not used with the)

See also: chip, old

knock someone's block off (informal)

if you say you will knock someone's block off, you mean you will hit them very hard. Say that again and I'll knock your block off!

See also: knock

the new kid on the block (American & Australian, informal)

someone who is new in a place or organization and has many things to learn about it. Realizing I was the new kid on the block in this job, I was determined to prove myself.

See also: kid, new

on the block (American)

if something is on the block, it is for sale, especially at an auction (= a sale where the person who offers most money for something can buy it). The best pieces of furniture from the old mansion are going on the block next month. The Seattle radio station has been on the block for a year with no offers to buy it.

on the/your (starting) blocks

to be ready and waiting to start an activity. The management is on its starting blocks, prepared for a flood of orders.

put your head/neck on the block

to risk doing something which will make other people lose their good opinion of you if it fails. He put his head on the block by promising his team wouldn't lose any more matches this year. I'm not going to put my head on the block for you - it could cost me my promotion.

See also: head, neck

a stumbling block

a problem which prevents someone from achieving something. Lack of willingness to compromise is the main stumbling block to reaching a settlement. (often + to) Money, obviously, is a major stumbling block in any project of this size.

See also: stumble

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block out something

1. to ignore something. After a while you become good at forcing yourself to block out the pain.

2. to make time available. When was the last time you blocked out two hours to do whatever you felt like doing?

a chip off the old block

someone who is similar in character to their father or mother. She enjoys bossing people around just like her mother used to do — she's a real chip off the old block!

See also: chip, old

the new kid on the block

a recent arrival. The Internet is still the new kid on the block in communications technologies.

See also: kid, new

on the block

for sale. The radio station has been on the block for a year, but no one seems to want to buy it.

Etymology: based on the auction block (= the surface from which a public sale of goods or property to the person willing to pay the most happens)

out of the (starting) blocks

at or from the very beginning. The company wanted to be first out of the blocks with the newest video game format.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of starting blocks (= blocks a runner's shoes are placed against at the beginning of a race)