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Language Foundation

unblock

To remove an obstacle or restriction that is preventing someone or something from continuing, moving, or making progress.

In plain English

It means clearing away what is in the way so activity can go forward again. What is removed may be a barrier or a limiting condition that has stopped continued movement or progress.

In context

Here, it requests or names the removal of whatever is preventing progress in the work from continuing.

Situation
Collaborating remotely through projects, tasks, meetings, handoffs, and approvals
What it communicates
requests or names the removal of an impediment to progress

Meaning limits

The term itself does not say what the obstacle is, who removes it, or whether progress will actually resume afterward.

Examples

“They unblocked the lane by dragging the fallen tree to the verge.”

Core meaning

“Please unblock the approval issue that is holding up the work.”

In context

  • block Opposite

    It has the opposite meaning: to stop movement or progress by creating an obstacle or restriction.

  • remove Broader Term

    Unblocking is one kind of removing, where what is removed is an obstacle or restriction.