Meanings
plural gapers' blocks · alternative gapers block
- CanadaUSidiomaticA traffic jam resulting from motorists slowing to look at a motor vehicle collision or other roadside distraction.
In the pretty, tranquil valley, elk were feeding just off the highway, creating a gapers block.
2001, "Rocky Road Rocky Mountain National Park boasts as ear-popping drive full of peak experiences," Wichita Eagle (Kansas), 25 Mar., p. 1G1 more example
In the lingo of the traffic reporters, "gapers' block" is a tie-up caused by motorists slowing down to gape at an accident.
1967 March 10, “Above It All”, in TimeSynonyms: gawkers' block, gawker blocker
Synonyms & antonyms
nounA traffic jam resulting from motorists slowing to look at a motor vehicle collision or other roadside distraction.
Translations
Dutch kijkfile
- kijkfiletraffic jam resulting from motorists slowing to look at a motor vehicle collision or other roadside distraction
Spanish efecto mirón
- efecto miróntraffic jam resulting from motorists slowing to look at a motor vehicle collision or other roadside distraction
Swedish tittkö
- tittkötraffic jam resulting from motorists slowing to look at a motor vehicle collision or other roadside distraction
Cite this entry
gapers' block. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/gapers'%20block
“gapers' block.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/gapers'%20block. Accessed November 5, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “gapers' block,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/gapers'%20block.
Source: gapers' block on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.