chock-a-block

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chock-a-block

or chock·a·block (chŏk′ə-blŏk′)

adj.

1. Squeezed together; jammed: The cheering fans were chock-a-block in the stands.

2. Completely filled; stuffed: "I recommend the north shore chowder, chockablock with pieces of seasonal fish" (Charles Monaghan).

3. Nautical Drawn so close as to have the blocks touching. Used of a ship's hoisting tackle.

adv.

Chock: a hall that was chock-a-block full.

[Alteration (influenced by chock) of block-a-block : block + a- + block.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

chock-a-block

adj, adv

1. filled to capacity; in a crammed state

2. (Nautical Terms) nautical with the blocks brought close together, as when a tackle is pulled as tight as possible

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

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Adv.

chock-a-block - as completely as possible; "it was chock-a-block full"

chock

Translations

chock-a-block

[ˈtʃɒkəˈblɒk] ADJ → de bote en bote, hasta los topes
chock-a-block of or with → atestado de, totalmente lleno de

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

chock-a-block

adj (esp Brit inf), chock-full

adj (inf) → knüppelvoll (inf), → gerammelt voll (inf)

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

chock-a-block

[ˈtʃɒkəˈblɒk] adj chock-a-block (with) → pieno/a zeppo/a (di)

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

References in periodicals archive ?

It's absolute chock-a-block. All the wagons can't get in or out of the road.

Fire closes road and leads to 'bedlam'

The Alfred Road car park in Sparkbrook is reportedly "chock-a-block" with shoppers from all over the country, but is now set to be closed to make way for a new housing estate.

Car park closure will put us out of business, say traders; shopkeepers on bustling stratford road fear the worst

Summary: Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], May 21 (ANI): With temperatures rising in the city, Hyderabad has witnessed a surge in diarrhoea cases and hospitals in the city are chock-a-block due to the same.

140 cases of diarrhoea recorded in Hyderabad

And while it might be a sight more common in the snow, Storey Arms was also chock-a-block with cars as people flocked to enjoy the Brecon Beacons.

SUNNY HOT SPOTS

In my experience these will be chock-a-block with people I don't know among a sprinkling of paparazzos.

QUOTES OF THE DAY

My mantelpiece was chock-a-block with the f***ing things.'

Say WHAT? Snap shot

That shouldn't be held against him, but at the same time he needs to show Steve McClaren that he can give something of value to a chock-a-block midfield.

HE CAN DO A JOB FOR TOON

The salty stories behind common expressions like "chock-a-block", "out of the blue" and "under the weather" might surprise you and will more than likely entertain.

Salty Dog Talk

O'Brien said veterans' resumes are also "chock-a-block with catch phrases appropriate to all veterans: 'organized,' 'self-motivated,' 'driven,' 'attention to detail,' etc.," but he added that "taglines cannot replace skills."

Why one CEO isn't hiring veterans

Hadfield Road is already chock-a-block with traffic at the best of times and the road surface is in a disgusting state.