chop block

noun

American football
: a dangerous and illegal block aimed at the legs and especially knees of another player
Smith is probably the victim of more chop blocks than any defender in the league.— Rick Telander
chop-block
ˈchäp-ˌbläk How to pronounce chop block (audio)
transitive verb
chop-blocked; chop-blocking; chop-blocks
Early in the fourth quarter of Kansas City's 26-10 win over Denver … Chiefs defensive tackle Chester McGlockton became enraged after being chop-blocked by Lepsis. — Michael Silver

Examples of chop block in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Bears had only six penalties for 33 yards, but between the Dexter call and a chop block on Swift in the end zone that resulted in a safety, penalties led to six points. — Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2024 First with a chop block penalty that negated a good run, then a false start that put them in a challenging second and 21 situation. — Jim Martinez, San Antonio Express-News, 1 Oct. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1954, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chop block was in 1954

Rhymes for chop block

See All Rhymes for chop block

Browse Nearby Words

chop and change
chop block
chop box
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chop block.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chop%20block. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.

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