What does the idiom "be as thick as a brick" mean?
Although the meanings of the words in them do not make any sense when examined one by one, the word groups that are shaped according to the cultural roots of the language and that make sense as a whole are called idioms. be as thick as a brick meaning, in what situations is it used?
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 with similar meaning
"Don't judge a book by its cover" is an English idiom that means you shouldn't make assumptions about someone or something based solely on its appearance. In Japanese, the similar idiom is "Hana yori dango," which translates to "Dumplings rather than flowers." This idiom means that substance is more important than appearance.
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