capital blockade

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "capital blockade" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing economic sanctions or restrictions that affect a country's financial resources or capital flow. Example: "The government imposed a capital blockade to prevent foreign investments from entering the country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The U.S. should begin by imposing a "capital blockade"–eliminating or at least substantially reducing flows of investment capital into Iran.

Forbes

But a capital blockade is not physically obvious: There are no naval vessels or Air Force jets visibly interfering with ships and airplanes.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Luckily, the fishermen who recently demonstrated outside the European Commission to complain about fuel prices stuck to a simple list of grievances (before their protest disintegrated into the usual baton charges and splintered office windows).Fishermen are striking, marching on capitals and blockading ports all over Europe.

The Economist

Five more died in a tank that hit a mine, after the Israeli army crossed the border in a vain rescue attempt.In response, Israel bombed targets across Lebanon, including Beirut airport and Hizbullah's radio station in the Lebanese capital itself, and blockaded Lebanon's ports.

The Economist

Maoist rebels who have blockaded the capital, Katmandu, for a week said they were lifting the blockade, news agencies reported.

The New York Times

"To me, it looks like the rebels want to blockade the capital, then block the food supplies and the water".

The New York Times

PAGE A6 THAI PROTESTERS PREPARE FOR CLASHES The antigovernment protesters in Bangkok who blockaded the capital's two airports prepared themselves for more clashes with the police.

The New York Times

With British forces surrounding and blockading the capital and main port, it was clear that the large Argentine garrison there was cut off and could be starved out.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 2010, when his government proposed changes to subsidies that would have led to a sharp rise in the price of gasoline, El Alto's residents again blockaded the capital and forced Mr. Morales to back down.

The New York Times

Madaya is only the latest example of a debilitating siege targeting a city in Syria, with areas of eastern Ghouta in the suburbs of Damascus and the Yarmouk refugee camp south of the capital having suffered similar blockades by the Assad regime in the course of the five-year civil war.

The Guardian

Ratsiraka's supporters then blockaded the capital, which Ravalomanana's supporters controlled.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "capital blockade", ensure that the context clearly indicates the specific financial flows being restricted and the intended target. Be specific about what kind of capital is affected.

Common error

Avoid using "capital blockade" as a catch-all term for all economic sanctions. It specifically refers to restrictions on investment and financial flows, not general trade or economic activity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capital blockade" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb (e.g., "impose a capital blockade"). Ludwig AI shows that it describes a specific type of economic sanction.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "capital blockade" is a grammatically sound noun phrase that refers to restrictions placed on the flow of investment capital into a country, as reported by Ludwig AI. While not very common, it appears mainly in news and media contexts when discussing economic sanctions. Related terms include "financial embargo" and "economic sanctions". When using this phrase, ensure you provide specific context about the capital flows being restricted. Alternatives include "financial restrictions", which may be suited in formal or academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capital controls

Directly refers to measures controlling the flow of capital in and out of a country.

financial embargo

Replaces "blockade" with "embargo", emphasizing the prohibition aspect.

economic sanctions

Broader term encompassing various economic penalties, including restrictions on capital.

investment restrictions

Focuses specifically on limiting investment flows.

financial restrictions

A general term for limitations on financial activities.

asset freeze

Emphasizes the freezing of assets to prevent their movement.

financial warfare

A more direct parallel to military conflict, in this case in the finance field.

economic isolation

Highlights the broader economic impact of restricting financial flows.

trade restrictions

Focuses on limiting trade activities as a form of economic pressure.

economic warfare

A more aggressive term implying deliberate economic harm.

FAQs

What does "capital blockade" mean?

A "capital blockade" refers to the act of restricting or eliminating the flow of investment capital into a country, typically as a form of economic pressure or sanction. It's similar to using "capital controls" but often implies a more aggressive or punitive intent.

How does a "capital blockade" differ from trade sanctions?

While both are economic measures, a "capital blockade" specifically targets investment and financial flows, while trade sanctions restrict the exchange of goods and services. A "capital blockade" prevents foreign money from entering the country while using "trade restrictions" limits what the country can export or import.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "capital blockade"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "financial embargo", "economic sanctions", or "investment restrictions". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "capital blockade" a formal or informal term?

The term "capital blockade" is generally considered a neutral term and can be used in news reports. More academic or formal context will require that you use "financial restrictions".