block-book

present singular third person block-books · participle present block-booking · participle past block-booked · past block-booked

1. transitiveTo book (“reserve in advance”) a large number of (hotel rooms, tickets, or other items) at one time.

   We’ve block-booked three rows of seats at the theatre.

   4 more examples

   [I]f block booking were truly efficient, some paying patients would choose to patronize doctors who block booked, putting up with extra long waits to save a little money (i.e., choosing to pay $30 for a block-booked visit rather than $35 for care by appointment). The fact that doctors cannot attract patients by block booking demonstrates that the extra patient waiting time is more valuable than the small $5 savings in the doctor's time.

   2004, Thomas E. Getzen, “Management and Regulation of Hospital Costs”, in Health Economics: Fundamentals and Flow of Funds, New York, N.Y.: John Wiley & Sons, →ISBN, page 182

   The sixteen artists and artisans who were building the mural under Valis's direction did not live on site. They were block-booked for six months at the Vineyard Hills Inn.

   2005, Dean Koontz, chapter 69, in Velocity, New York, N.Y.: Bantam Books, →ISBN, page 299

   Studio time is very expensive and furthermore setting up of a studio with all of the necessary programme specific sets and lighting is time consuming. Therefore, VYP often block-books a studio for several days at a time, or even for 2 weeks at a time.

   2011 June, “V and Y Productions: Some Help from BPP”, in CIMA Professional Competence Level Paper T4: Test of Professional Competence in Management: For Exams in 2011 and 2012, 2nd edition, London: BPP Learning Media, →ISBN, part C (Practice T4 (TOPCIMA) Cases), paragraph 65, page 352

   He adds that NR was constantly frustrated by its inability to get access to the Melton track. "NR seems to struggle in terms of managing its customer base – Bombardier and Alstom block-book the place.

   2021 June 16, Andrew Mourant, “Plans for New Test Centre Remain on Track”, in Rail, number 933, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire: Bauer Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 44