city block
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A rectangular area in a city surrounded by streets: A "city block" is the basic unit of urban planning, defined by the intersecting streets that border it. It is the area of land inside these streets.
- The length of one side of such an area: Informally, "city block" can also refer to the distance along one side of this area, used as a rough measure for walking.
Usage
- As a measured area:
- The new park will occupy an entire city block.
- Their property covers half a city block.
- As a unit of distance:
- The museum is just two city blocks away from here.
- I walk about ten city blocks to work every day.
Advanced Usage
- "to walk (someone) around the block": To take a short walk, often for exercise or to clear one's head.
- I need some air; I'm going to walk around the block.
- "a block over": Referring to a location on a parallel street, one block away.
- The pharmacy isn't on this street; it's one block over.
Variants and Related Words
- Block (noun): A more general term. While "city block" specifies an urban context, "block" alone can be used similarly (e.g., ). It can also mean a solid piece of material or an obstruction.
- Superblock (noun): A very large city block, often created by closing off some interior streets to vehicular traffic.
- Block party (noun): A social gathering for the residents of a single block or neighborhood, often held on the street itself.
Synonyms
- Urban block: A more formal synonym.
- Square (in some contexts, though a "square" is often a specific open public space).
Related Phrases
- Up the block: Further along the same block or street.
- The deli is up the block, next to the bank.
- Around the block: Having a lot of experience (idiomatic).
- She's been around the block a few times and knows how to handle difficult clients.
Idioms
- The new kid on the block: A newcomer to a place, group, or field.
- As the new kid on the block, he was eager to prove himself.
- To go on the block: To be put up for sale, especially at an auction.
- The family's estate will go on the block next month.
Noun
- a rectangular area in a city surrounded by streets and usually containing several buildings
- he lives in the next block