Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
chockablock or chock-a-block [chok-uh-blok] ExamplesWord Origin See more synonyms for chockablock on Thesaurus.com adjective
- extremely full; crowded; jammed: a room chockablock with furniture and plants.
- Nautical. having the blocks drawn close together, as when the tackle is hauled to the utmost.
adverb
- in a crowded manner: books piled chockablock on the narrow shelf.
Origin of chockablock cf. chock close (up to), apparently as back formation from chock-full Related Words for chock-a-block brimming, overcrowded, overflowing, packed, stuffed, chock-a-block, crammed, jam-packed, bulging Examples from the Web for chock-a-block Historical Examples of chock-a-block
A company came on board the Scourge, and they filled us chock-a-block.
James Fenimore Cooper
I wish I could ask you to stay, but we are chock-a-block with cousins and aunts.
Mrs. George de Horne Vaizey
The big Ravine and all the small nullahs are chock-a-block with corpses.
Ian Hamilton
“Then, if it is true we’ll find the Cavarale chock-a-block with British prisoners,” said Dacres.
Percy F. Westerman
The place was chock-a-block with rough-looking men, either looking on or playing the games.
Robert W. Service
British Dictionary definitions for chock-a-block chock-a-block adjective, adverb
- filled to capacity; in a crammed state
- nautical with the blocks brought close together, as when a tackle is pulled as tight as possible
Word Origin and History for chock-a-block adj.
nautical, said of two blocks of tackle run so closely they touch; from chock + block (n.).