Phrase guide

chopping block

noun · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A thick wooden slab used as a cutting surface for preparing food, splitting firewood or kindling, etc.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Near-synonyms: butcher block, butcher's block

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: butcher block, butcher's block

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A block of wood against which a condemned person put their head prior to beheading.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: historical, informal

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A dangerous or precarious situation.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly

Examples

  • Jim really put his head on the chopping block when he started flirting with the boss's daughter.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

A dangerous or precarious situation.

The threat of an impending budget cut.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly

Examples

  • Our team might be on the chopping block — the company seems to be finding excuses to avoid funding these operating expenses.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

a steady wooden block on which food can be cut or diced or wood can be split

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: block

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

12 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bashkir: бүкән (bükən) — a wooden slab used as a cutting surface for food
  • Danish: huggeblok — a wooden slab used as a cutting surface for food
  • Ancient Greek: ἐπίξηνον (epíxēnon) — a wooden slab used as a cutting surface for food
  • Irish: ceap búistéara — a wooden slab used as a cutting surface for food
  • Plautdietsch: Heiwklotz — a wooden slab used as a cutting surface for food
  • Russian: разде́лочная доска́ (razdéločnaja doská) — a wooden slab used as a cutting surface for food
  • Spanish: bloque de picar — a wooden slab used as a cutting surface for food
  • Spanish: bloque de trocear — a wooden slab used as a cutting surface for food
  • Spanish: bloque de cortar — a wooden slab used as a cutting surface for food
  • Thai: เขียง (kǐiang) — a wooden slab used as a cutting surface for food
  • Ancient Greek: ἐπίξηνον (epíxēnon) — a block of wood people place their heads on prior to beheading
  • Russian: пла́ха (pláxa) — a block of wood people place their heads on prior to beheading