• A block number mainly refers to the signage used to display the number of a Housing Development Board (HDB) building in Singapore. In order to ensure that people can read the numbers on the signage from afar, its size and the numbers printed on it are quite big, hence it is known as “大牌” (literally translated as “big signboard”).
• The term can also refer to successful or renowned professionals such as “大牌律师” (“famous lawyer”), and can also be used to describe arrogant or snobbish people who annoy others.

Some residents were unaware of the changes in the block number. Mdm Gan, 70, who has stayed here for 8 years was shocked to hear this from the reporter. She said she did not notice it at all and found it hard to understand why the block number was being replaced. (Lianhe Wanbao, 17/12/2008)