Meaning & use
blocking in the back
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Meaning
phrasefixed phrasesport
In sports, illegally pushing or obstructing an opponent from behind.
Grammar: Used as a noun phrase for the foul itself; the verb form is 'block someone in the back'.
Patterns
- commit blocking in the back
- be called for blocking in the back
- blocking in the back on someone
The referee flagged him for blocking in the back during the final drive.
Blocking in the back is a ten-yard penalty in American football.
She was penalized for blocking in the back near the goal line.
Common combinations
- be called for blocking in the back
- The defender was called for blocking in the back late in the game.
- a blocking-in-the-back penalty
- The drive stalled after a blocking-in-the-back penalty.
- get flagged for blocking in the back
- He got flagged for blocking in the back twice in one quarter.
Synonyms and how they differ
- illegal block
- A broader term for any unlawful block, not specifically one from behind.
- push in the back
- Focuses on the physical push; 'blocking in the back' is the official rule name in many sports.
Word family
Commonly confused: blocking in the back or blocking the back?
blocking in the back vs blocking the back
'Blocking the back' would mean covering the rear area; 'blocking in the back' means fouling an opponent from behind.
Practice
Which sentence uses the sports term correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Blocking in the back' is a foul in sports, so the referee penalizes it. The other options use 'blocking' and 'back' in unrelated everyday senses.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “blocking in the back”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.