unblock

/ˈʌnˌblɑk/

/ənˈblɒk/

Other forms: unblocked; unblocking; unblocks

If you unblock something, you free it or clear it of anything that's in its way. A plumber's frequent task is to unblock pipes so water can move through them.

You can unblock your stuffed-up nose by blowing into a tissue, or unblock the driveway by moving your bike into the garage. Cardiologists, or heart doctors, often need to operate on patients in order to unblock their clogged arteries, so blood can flow freely. Unblock comes from adding the "reversal" prefix un- to the verb block, "obstruct or hinder passage."

Definitions of unblock

1. verb

   clear or remove an obstruction from
   “the procedure unblocked his arteries”

   type of:

   loosen up, unstuff

   cause to become unblocked
2. verb

   make (assets) available
   synonyms: free, release, unfreeze

   antonyms:

   block

   prohibit the conversion or use of (assets)

   type of:

   issue, supply

   circulate or distribute or equip with
3. verb

   play the cards of (a suit) so that the last trick on which a hand can follow suit will be taken by a higher card in the hand of a partner who has the remaining cards of a combined holding
   type of:

   play

   participate in games or sport