square block
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A solid piece of material with a roughly cubic shape: A "square block" is a solid object, often made of wood, stone, or another material, whose form is approximately that of a cube, having six square or rectangular faces. 2. A basic building or play unit: It refers to a simple, often uniform, block used as a fundamental component in construction, design, or children's toys.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The child stacked the square blocks to build a tall tower.
- The sculptor started with a large square block of marble.
- The old pavement was made of heavy granite square blocks.
Advanced Usage
- "To be a square block in a round hole": A metaphorical extension meaning a person or thing that is a poor fit for a particular situation or role, analogous to the idiom "a square peg in a round hole."
- His creative thinking made him feel like a square block in the rigid corporate structure.
Variants and Related Words
- Block (n): A more general term for a solid piece of material with flat surfaces.
- Cube (n): A solid geometric figure with six equal square faces. A "square block" is often cube-shaped, but "cube" implies more precise geometry.
- Brick (n): A specific type of rectangular block, typically made of fired clay, used in building.
Synonyms
- Cube: (when the shape is precise)
- Chunk: (a thick, solid piece)
- Hunk: (a large, solid piece)
Related Phrases
- Building block: A block used for construction, or a fundamental element from which something is built.
- Logic is a fundamental building block of mathematics.
- Block of flats/apartments (UK/US): A large building divided into multiple residential units. (Note: This is a distinct compound noun where "block" does not imply a cubic shape).
Related Idioms
- A chip off the old block: A person who closely resembles a parent in character or appearance. (Note: This idiom uses "block" metaphorically, not specifically a block).
- He's a great mechanic, just like his father—a real chip off the old block.
Noun
- a block in the (approximate) shape of a cube