English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Building blocks
Meaning
The idiom "building blocks" refers to fundamental components or basic units that make up a larger structure or system. It can also mean the essential elements of learning, development, or progress.
Usage
- The new construction project started with laying down the building blocks first.
- In order to learn a new skill, you need to start with the basics or building blocks.
- Our team is focused on developing the building blocks of our product before launching it to the market.
- A successful career requires continuous learning and growth, which are like the building blocks of success.
- The government has launched an initiative to promote financial literacy among children by starting with the building blocks of basic arithmetic. The usage of the idiom can vary depending on the context. It can be used in a positive or negative connotation, depending on the situation. For example, if a project is struggling, someone may say "We need to go back to the drawing board and rebuild the project from scratch using new building blocks."
Roots and History
The idiom "building blocks" has been used in English since at least the 17th century. It was first used in a legal context, referring to the fundamental principles of law that form the basis of legal proceedings. The idiom then evolved over time to refer to any basic components or essential elements of something larger and more complex. In recent years, the idiom has become commonly associated with education and learning, particularly in the context of building skills and knowledge.
Synonyms in English
- Basics
- Fundamentals
- Foundation
- Elements
- Building blocks
Synonyms in other languages
- Blocs de construction (French) - This idiom is used in French to refer to basic components or building blocks.
- Kameni (Czech) - This Czech word means "stones" and can be used as a synonym for building blocks.
- Steinkern (German) - This German word means "stone kernel" and can also refer to building blocks.
- Bloci di costruzione (Italian) - This Italian idiom refers to basic components or building blocks.
- 基本的な要素 (Japanese) - This Japanese phrase means "basic elements" and is commonly used in education and learning contexts.