1823. Scott, Peveril of the Peak, ch. v. (I., p. 67). Were I not to
take better care of the wood than you, brother, there would soon be
no more wood about the town than the barber’s block that’s on your
own shoulders.
A chip of the same old block, phr. (common).—A man or thing exhibiting
the same qualities as he or that with which a comparison is made.
1627. Sanderson, Serm., I., 283. Am not I a child of the same Adam,
a vessel of the same clay, a chip of the same block, with him. [M.]
1655. L’Estrange, Charles I., 126. Episcopacy, which they thought
but a great chip of the old block Popery. [M.]
To cut a block with a razor, phr. (old).—Inconsequent argument; futile
endeavour; incongruous application of means or ability to the end in
view.
1774. Goldsmith, Retaliation, 42. ’Twas his fate unemployed or in
place, sir, to eat mutton cold and cut blocks with a razor.
To block a hat, phr. (popular).—To crush a man’s hat over the eyes by a
blow; to bonnet (q.v.).
Blockers.—See Block Ornaments.
Block House, subs. (old).—A prison; the house of detention. For
synonyms, see Cage.
1624. Capt. Smith, Virginia, III., xi., 85. To stop the disorders
of our disorderly Theeues ... built a Block-house. [M.]
1785. Grose, Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. Block-houses,
Prisons, houses of correction, etc.