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mental block

mental block

4 5.0
A short time when you cannot think clearly or remember something
  • noun
  • /ˈmɛn.təl blɑk/
translation icon : bloqueo mental
  • Once they start actively thinking about the simplest physical action, there's this insurmountable mental block.
  • get over a mental block

Like it's a huge mental block for them to start budgeting.

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Examples

  • I've got some sort of mental block about going into pubs.

  • I am going to list a few ideas on how to break through this mental block.

    Blog text (16)
  • And I think we have this mental block in thinking I need to get over this rather than get through it.

  • But it comes as a mental block because OK, look at this way.

  • I think the longer this has gone on, the worse my mental block has become.

    Blog text (29)
  • I think the trauma triggered a mental block.

    Blog text (3)
  • Like it's a huge mental block for them to start budgeting.

  • This can be invaluable when teachers reach a "mental block" about a lesson objective... or are trying to expand their teaching into new areas.

    Academic text (2001)
  • I think I’ve developed a mental block.

    Blog text (7)
  • After weeks of studying, she still faced a mental block that prevented her from recalling the information during the exam.

Synonyms

block
vsmental block
95 7.2

A temporary inability to think or remember under pressure

is a temporary internal barrier that hinders clear thought
brain fart
vsmental block
  • Slang
3 9.3

A short moment when you forget something or get confused

is a temporary barrier not just a trivial short lapse
fog in someone's mind
vsmental block
8.2

A feeling of confusion that makes it hard to think clearly

is a focused temporary barrier blocking memory or clear thought

Antonyms

7 6.0

Clear thinking or speech that is easy to understand

How Severe

mental block
4 5.0
lapse
81 4.9

Surface Forms

mental block singular
mental blocks plural

Morphology

mental + block

The meaning is directly derivable from the constituents: 'mental' (relating to the mind) combined with 'block' (an obstruction or inability) yields a cognitive/psychological obstruction. This noun–noun composition follows common, cross‑linguistic patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer the intended meaning.

Etymology

Mental block comes from the image of a heavy block in your mental space that stops ideas and memories from coming out. That's why it means 'a short time when you cannot think clearly or remember something'.