chop block
noun
American football
: a dangerous and illegal block aimed at the legs and especially knees of another player
Smith is probably the victim of more chop blocks than any defender in the league.—
Rick Telander
Rick Telander
chop-block
transitive verb
chop-blocked; chop-blocking; chop-blocks
Early in the fourth quarter of Kansas City's 26-10 win over Denver … Chiefs defensive tackle Chester McGlockton became enraged after being chop-blocked by Lepsis.
—Michael Silver
Michael Silver
Examples of chop block in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Bears had only six penalties for 33 yards, but between the Dexter call and a chop block on Swift in the end zone that resulted in a safety, penalties led to six points.
—Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2024
First with a chop block penalty that negated a good run, then a false start that put them in a challenging second and 21 situation.
—Jim Martinez, San Antonio Express-News, 1 Oct. 2021
Western Kentucky drove to UTSA’s 5-yard line before being backed up to the 20 by a chop block penalty.
—Greg Luca, San Antonio Express-News, 10 Oct. 2021
Like a true heel, Theory won this match with a combination of a ref bump, a low blow, a chop block and his A-Town Down finisher.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2023
That was compounded by a chop block penalty giving the Saints starting field possession on the Las Vegas 27.
—Brett Martel, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Oct. 2022
The Chiefs drove inside the 10 but had a touchdown negated by a chop block and then Harrison Butker missed a 39-yard field goal try.
—Josh Dubow, ajc, 24 Oct. 2022
The Hoosiers drove to the Rutgers 33 on their second possession, but then pushed themselves back with chop block and false start penalties and had to punt from the Scarlet Knights 46.
—Dustin Dopirak, The Indianapolis Star, 22 Oct. 2022
Right guard Michael Furtney was called for a chop block.
—Jeff Potrykus, Journal Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2022
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Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2024
First with a chop block penalty that negated a good run, then a false start that put them in a challenging second and 21 situation.
—Jim Martinez, San Antonio Express-News, 1 Oct. 2021
Western Kentucky drove to UTSA’s 5-yard line before being backed up to the 20 by a chop block penalty.
—Greg Luca, San Antonio Express-News, 10 Oct. 2021
Like a true heel, Theory won this match with a combination of a ref bump, a low blow, a chop block and his A-Town Down finisher.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2023
That was compounded by a chop block penalty giving the Saints starting field possession on the Las Vegas 27.
—Brett Martel, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Oct. 2022
The Chiefs drove inside the 10 but had a touchdown negated by a chop block and then Harrison Butker missed a 39-yard field goal try.
—Josh Dubow, ajc, 24 Oct. 2022
The Hoosiers drove to the Rutgers 33 on their second possession, but then pushed themselves back with chop block and false start penalties and had to punt from the Scarlet Knights 46.
—Dustin Dopirak, The Indianapolis Star, 22 Oct. 2022
Right guard Michael Furtney was called for a chop block.
—Jeff Potrykus, Journal Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Chop block.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chop%20block. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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