unblock
gb/ʌnblˈɑk/ us/ʌnblˈɑk/
B2
English
kitisztít, szabaddá tesz, felold, feloldja valakinek a tiltását, leveszi a tiltást valakiről, kimozdít a holtpontról, elhárít, felszabadít, felszínre hoz
VERB
B2
1
kitisztít
A2
Usage pattern:
unblock [something]
A plumber came to unblock the kitchen sink.
Jött egy vízvezeték-szerelő, hogy kitisztítsa a konyhai mosogató lefolyóját.
Crews worked overnight to unblock the road after the landslide.
A csapatok egész éjjel dolgoztak, hogy a földcsuszamlás után újra szabaddá tegyék az utat.
This spray can help unblock a stuffy nose.
Learner examples
Can you unblock the drain?
Ki tudod tisztítani a lefolyót?
The road was unblocked after two hours.
Az út két óra után újra járható lett.
Common mistake:
For sinks, drains, and toilets, American English often uses “unclog.”
Meaning
clear a physical blockage
Collocations
unblock a drain
|unblock a toilet
|unblock a sink
|unblock a pipe
|unblock a road
|unblock traffic
|unblock a doorway
|unblock your nose
Synonyms
clear (general word for removing what is in the way)
|
unclog (especially common for drains, toilets, pipes, and noses)
|
open up (more informal; emphasizes making passage possible)
Antonyms
block (to stop movement or flow by putting something in the way)
|
clog (to block a pipe, drain, or passage with material)
Themes
daily_life
|home
|transport
|health
Definition
to clear something that is blocked so things can pass through again
To remove something that is blocking a passage, pipe, road, nose, or similar space so that movement or flow is possible again.
VERB
B2
2
felold
B1
Usage pattern:
unblock [a website/account/card/service/file]
IT unblocked the website after confirming it was safe.
Az informatikai részleg azután oldotta fel a weboldal tiltását, hogy meggyőződött róla, biztonságos.
The bank unblocked her card once she verified the transaction.
A bank feloldotta a kártyája zárolását, miután megerősítette a tranzakciót.
Restarting the router did not unblock access to the service.
Learner examples
Please unblock my account.
Kérlek, oldd fel a fiókom zárolását.
The school unblocked the website for the class.
Az iskola feloldotta a weboldal tiltását az osztály számára.
Common mistake:
Do not use “unlock” and “unblock” interchangeably: “unlock” often means open with a key, code, or permission; “unblock” means remove a block or restriction.
Meaning
restore access or use
Collocations
unblock a website
|unblock an account
|unblock a card
|unblock a file
|unblock an app
|unblock a service
|unblock access
|unblock content
|unblock a connection
Synonyms
restore access (clear and formal; emphasizes being able to use something again)
|
allow (used when changing a setting or rule to permit access)
|
enable (often technical; means make a function active or usable)
Antonyms
block (to prevent access or use)
|
restrict (to limit access or use rather than necessarily stop it completely)
|
disable (to turn off a function or service)
Themes
technology
|internet
|banking
|security
Definition
to make something available again after it was blocked
To remove a restriction or technical block so that a website, account, card, file, app, or service can be accessed or used again.
VERB
B2
3
Usage pattern:
unblock [someone]; unblock [a number/contact] on [platform]
She unblocked his number after they talked things through.
Miután mindent megbeszéltek, feloldotta a telefonszámának tiltását.
If you unblock someone on Instagram, they may be able to see your profile again.
Ha feloldod valakinek a tiltását az Instagramon, lehet, hogy újra láthatja a profilodat.
I accidentally blocked my sister, so I had to unblock her.
Learner examples
I unblocked my friend.
Feloldottam a barátom tiltását.
Can you unblock my number?
Fel tudod oldani a számom tiltását?
Common mistake:
Use the person or contact as the object: “I unblocked him,” not “I unblocked to him.”
Meaning
allow a blocked contact
Collocations
unblock someone
|unblock a number
|unblock a contact
|unblock a user
|unblock an account
|unblock someone on WhatsApp
|unblock someone on Instagram
Synonyms
allow (more general; does not always imply a previous block)
|
restore contact (more formal; emphasizes communication becoming possible again)
Antonyms
block (to stop someone from contacting you or seeing your content)
|
mute (to stop seeing or hearing someone without necessarily blocking contact)
Themes
social_media
|phones
|communication
|relationships
Definition
to let someone contact you again after you blocked them
To remove a block on a person, phone number, or social media account so that they can contact you or see your content again.
VERB
C1
BUSINESS
4
Usage pattern:
unblock [a project/process/team/decision]
The manager stepped in to unblock the stalled approval process.
A vezető közbelépett, hogy kimozdítsa a holtpontról az elakadt jóváhagyási folyamatot.
A quick call with legal unblocked the deal.
Egy gyors egyeztetés a jogi osztállyal kimozdította a holtpontról az ügyletet.
The team needs data from finance before they can unblock the project.
Learner examples
We need to unblock the project.
Ki kell mozdítanunk a holtpontról a projektet.
Her decision unblocked the process.
A döntése kimozdította a holtpontról a folyamatot.
Common mistake:
This use is common in work and project contexts; in everyday speech, “help move forward” or “solve the problem” may sound more natural.
Meaning
remove obstacle to progress
Collocations
unblock a project
|unblock a process
|unblock a team
|unblock a decision
|unblock a deal
|unblock negotiations
|unblock progress
|unblock the situation
|unblock approvals
Synonyms
clear (suggests removing an obstacle so progress can continue)
|
resolve (emphasizes solving the underlying problem)
|
facilitate (more formal; means make progress easier)
Antonyms
block (to prevent progress)
|
hold up (informal; to delay progress)
|
obstruct (more formal; to get in the way of progress)
Themes
business
|work
|projects
|problem_solving
Definition
to solve a problem that is stopping progress
To remove a problem, delay, or obstacle that is preventing work, a decision, a process, or negotiations from moving forward.
VERB
C1
5
felszabadít
B2
Usage pattern:
unblock [creativity/feelings/memories/ideas]
A long walk helped unblock her ideas for the final chapter.
Egy hosszú séta segített felszabadítani a gondolatait az utolsó fejezethez.
Therapy can help some people unblock emotions they have avoided for years.
A terápia segíthet egyeseknek felszínre hozni azokat az érzelmeket, amelyeket évek óta elfojtanak.
The workshop is designed to unblock creativity, not to teach a strict method.
Learner examples
Music helps me unblock my ideas.
A zene segít felszabadítani az ötleteimet.
The exercise unblocked her creativity.
A gyakorlat felszabadította a kreativitását.
Common mistake:
This use is more figurative and is not as common as “unblock” for physical or digital blocks.
Meaning
release blocked thoughts or feelings
Collocations
unblock creativity
|unblock ideas
|unblock emotions
|unblock feelings
|unblock memories
|unblock imagination
|unblock creative energy
Synonyms
free (more general; emphasizes release from limitation)
|
release (often used for emotions or tension)
|
unlock (similar in creative contexts; suggests revealing potential rather than removing a blockage)
Antonyms
block (to prevent thoughts, feelings, or creativity from flowing)
|
suppress (to hold back feelings or memories deliberately or unconsciously)
|
inhibit (to restrain natural expression or action)
Themes
emotions
|creativity
|mental_health
|writing
Definition
to make it possible to think, create, or feel freely again
To help ideas, feelings, memories, or creativity start flowing again after they have been stuck or suppressed.
Grammar
Dictionary form
unblock
IPA
GB/ʌnblˈɑk/
US/ʌnblˈɑk/
Syllables & stress
un - block (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (block)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: unblock
- 3rd Person Singular: unblocks
- Present Participle: unblocking
- Past: unblocked
Expressions
unblock a drain
1/ʌnblˈɑk ə dɹˈeɪn/
fixed phrase
clear a household drain
to make a drain work again by removing what is blocking it
Examples
- I used a plunger to unblock the drain in the shower.
- The kitchen drain was blocked, so we called someone to unblock it.
- Baking soda and vinegar sometimes help unblock a slow drain.
Learner examples
- Can you help me unblock the drain in the bathroom?
- We need to unblock the drain before the sink overflows.
unblock a number
5/ʌnblˈɑk ə nˈʌmbɚ/
fixed phrase
allow calls or texts again
to let a phone number call or message you again
Examples
- I unblocked her number because I needed to receive the confirmation code.
- To unblock a number, open your phone settings and go to blocked contacts.
- He had blocked the delivery driver by mistake and quickly unblocked the number.
Learner examples
- I want to unblock this number on my phone.
- She unblocked my number, so I can call her again.
unblock a project
8/ʌnblˈɑk ə pɹˈɑd͡ʒɛkt/
fixed phrase
business
remove a work obstacle
to solve the problem that is stopping a project from continuing
Examples
- We need a decision from legal to unblock the project.
- Hiring two more developers should unblock the project next month.
- The funding agreement finally unblocked the project after months of delay.
Learner examples
- The manager helped unblock the project by approving the budget.
- A quick meeting with the client could unblock the project.
unblock a toilet
2/ʌnblˈɑk ə tˈɔɪlɪt/
fixed phrase
clear a blocked toilet
to make a blocked toilet work again
Examples
- The toilet is blocked again, and we need to unblock it before the guests arrive.
- He tried to unblock the toilet with a plunger.
- If you can’t unblock the toilet yourself, call a plumber.
Learner examples
- I had to unblock the toilet this morning.
- The landlord sent a plumber to unblock the toilet.
unblock a website
3/ʌnblˈɑk ə wˈɛbsˌaɪt/
fixed phrase
restore website access
to allow people to visit a website again
Examples
- The school unblocked the website for students doing research.
- You may need admin permission to unblock a website on the network.
- The extension can unblock websites that are restricted in some regions.
Learner examples
- How can I unblock this website on my laptop?
- The company unblocked the website after checking it was safe.
unblock access to something
7/ʌnblˈɑk ˈæksˌɛs tə sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
restore access to a resource
to let people use or reach something again
Examples
- The update unblocked access to several online services.
- The court order unblocked access to the documents.
- Engineers worked overnight to unblock access to the database.
Learner examples
- The IT team unblocked access to my email account.
- The new rule unblocked access to public records.
unblock someone on social media
4/ʌnblˈɑk sˈʌmwˌʌn ˈɔn sˈoʊʃəl mˈidiə/
fixed phrase
allow contact again online
to stop blocking someone on an app or social media site
Examples
- She unblocked him on Instagram after they apologized to each other.
- If you unblock someone on WhatsApp, they may be able to message you again.
- I accidentally blocked my cousin and had to unblock her on Facebook.
Learner examples
- I decided to unblock my friend on Instagram.
- Can you show me how to unblock someone on WhatsApp?
unblock your ears
6/ʌnblˈɑk jˈʊɹ ˈɪɹz/
fixed phrase
relieve blocked ears
to make your ears stop feeling blocked
Examples
- Swallowing or yawning can help unblock your ears during a flight.
- My ears were blocked after the cold, and it took days to unblock them.
- The doctor suggested drops to help unblock my ear safely.
Learner examples
- How can I unblock my ears after flying?
- I tried chewing gum to unblock my ears on the plane.