be as thick as a brick

You are wondering about the meaning of the phrase be as thick as a brick, maybe you heard it in a TV show, movie or theater play. Although this idiom is not used very often, it enriches your capacity of expression and strengthens communication. In which case is the expression be as thick as a brick used and what is its meaning?

Meaning of "be as thick as a brick"

Meaning

To be as thick as a brick is an idiom used to describe someone as being incredibly dense or stupid. It implies that someone is so stupid that it is as if their brain is made of a brick wall. It is often used as a derogatory term and is usually used to criticize someone for being oblivious or naive.

Etymology

This idiom originated in the early 1800s during the Industrial Revolution. At that time, there was a common practice of making bricks out of clay, which was done by soaking the clay in water and then allowing it to dry. The resulting bricks were often of low quality and easily broken. Thus, the phrase "as thick as a brick" was used to describe someone who was very dense or unintelligent, like how a low quality brick easily crumbled.

Usage

This idiom can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is often used to describe someone in a joking manner, although it can also be used to express genuine frustration or anger.

Example Sentences

• He's so oblivious - he's as thick as a brick!
• John is so dense. He's as thick as a brick and can't figure out simple tasks.
• My boss is as thick as a brick - he never listens to my ideas!
• Rachel is quite intelligent, she's definitely not as thick as a brick.

Idioms have a common language

"The early bird catches the worm" is an English idiom that means that those who wake up early and start their day early are more likely to succeed. A similar idiom in Spanish is "El que madruga, Dios le ayuda," which translates to "God helps those who rise early." This idiom emphasizes the importance of starting the day early in order to achieve success.