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Glite Dictionary
on the block

on the block

2 4.1
Offered for sale, often at a public auction
  • idiom
translation icon : en venta
  • Several rare collectibles are on the block today, attracting the interest of art enthusiasts.
  • put on the block
  • go on the block
  • house on the block

Coaches forgive me, but my boys was on the block.

Examples

  • At least it wasn't any different from the other houses on the block.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • The famous painting will be on the block at the auction next week, drawing many eager bidders.

  • I got the only house on the block paid for.

    Next Friday (2000)

  • This is the last building on the block.

    Richie Rich's Christmas Wish (1998)

  • But you gotta understand, we're the new guys on the block, you know, we're trying to make a name for ourselves.

    The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

  • The newest plant on the block to open in 1996 is in Cobb County, Georgia.

    Academic text (1996)

  • It had sold on the block for a mere $2,300 due in part to a broken odometer.

    Blog text (7)

  • SHE MAKES THE BEST CANNOLIS ON THE BLOCK!

    Car 54, Where Are You? (1994)

  • After the estate sale, numerous valuable items will be on the block for anyone looking to find a deal.

Synonyms

for sale
vson the block
209 1.0

Available for people to buy

is offered specifically at a public auction rather than generally
on the market
vson the block
136 2.3

Available for people to buy

is aimed at sale by public auction rather than general public offering

How Available

on the block
2 4.1
on the market
136 2.3
for sale
209 1.0

Surface Forms

on the block main

Morphology

on + the + block

The meaning 'offered for sale/auction' follows directly from the locative preposition 'on' combined with 'the block' where 'block' is defined as the raised platform used for auctions — being 'on the block' literally places something on the auction platform. This is a straightforward compositional locative construction, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent senses would readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

The phrase on the block comes from old auctions where an item was placed on a raised wooden block so buyers could see it and bid. So when something was put on the block it meant it was ready 'to be sold', and today it still means 'offered for sale or auction'.