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Building blocks
01
small parts that once joined can make a whole
Idiom
Informal
Grammatical Information
Animacy status
Inanimate
Plural form
building blocks
What is the origin of the idiom "building blocks" and when to use it?
The idiom "building blocks" originated from the concept of using small, individual pieces to construct a larger, cohesive structure. It draws inspiration from the literal building blocks, such as bricks or blocks of wood, that are assembled to create buildings or structures. Figuratively, this expression is used to refers to the small parts or components that, when combined, form a complete whole. It emphasizes the idea that complex entities or concepts are composed of simpler elements.
Examples
Learning the alphabet and basic vocabulary are the building blocks of language acquisition.
