bricks and mortar

noun

1. 1. a building or buildings

      he invested in bricks and mortar rather than stocks and shares

   2. ( as modifier )

      a bricks-and-mortar fortune

2. 1. a physical business premises rather than an internet presence

   2. ( as modifier )

      bricks-and-mortar firms

Idioms and Phrases

Basic and essential, as in Matthew Arnold's essay (1865): “Margate, that bricks-and-mortar image of British Protestantism.” This phrase transfers essential building materials to other fundamental matters. It also may be used more literally to denote a building or buildings (whether or not made of bricks and mortar), as in The alumni prefer to see their donations in the form of bricks and mortar. [Mid-1800s]

Example Sentences

Controversial online fast-fashion seller Shein will open its first bricks and mortar store in the world in Paris next week, its new landlord announced Friday.

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But buildings are made of bricks and mortar and wood and concrete.

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But the idea of home is harder to destroy than bricks and mortar.

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Speculative tech bubbles such as the dotcom boom of the 1990s lacked a bricks and mortar base.

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Their new homes are metal containers, rather than bricks and mortar.

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