goldbrick

[ gohld-brik for 1, 2; gohld-brik for 3-5 ]

/ ˈgoʊldˈbrɪk for 1, 2; ˈgoʊldˌbrɪk for 3-5 /

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See synonyms for goldbrick on Thesaurus.com

noun

Informal. a brick made to look like gold, sold by a swindler.

Informal. anything supposed to be valuable but which turns out to be worthless.

Also goldbricker .Slang. a person, especially a soldier, who shirks responsibility or performs duties without proper effort or care.

verb (used without object) Slang.

to shirk responsibility or perform halfheartedly; loaf.

verb (used with object)

to swindle; cheat.

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Origin of goldbrick

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55; gold + brick

How to use goldbrick in a sentence

In straight relationships with an age gap, words like ‘gold-digger’ and ‘trophy wife’ get thrown around.
Freaking Out About Age Gaps in Gay Relationships Is Homophobic|Samantha Allen|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
It was a brick wall that we turned into the on-ramp of a highway.
Coffee Talk with Fred Armisen: On ‘Portlandia,’ Meeting Obama, and Taylor Swift’s Greatness|Marlow Stern|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And more than anything, I wanted a souvenir for my father, so I rolled him back, and he had gold teeth.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
He headed west in 1860 for health reasons and to join the gold rush in Colorado.
My Love Letter to the Stetson|Mark McKinnon|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST

As far as finally being acknowledged herself with that elusive Academy gold, well, Moore says she would not take it for granted.
Julianne Moore Is Oscar Gold in ‘Still Alice’|Marlow Stern|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When she arrived she made a regular entry into the city in a coach all gold and glass, drawn by eight superb plumed horses.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
On his head was the second-hand hat of some parvenu's coachman, gold lace, cockade and all.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
A leather swordbelt, gold-embroidered at the edges, carried a long steel-halted rapier in a leather scabbard chaped with steel.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
M was a Miser, and hoarded up gold; N was a Nobleman, gallant and bold.
Boys and Girls Bookshelf; a Practical Plan of Character Building, Volume I (of 17)|Various
He accuses the latter of various illegal and crafty acts, among them sending contraband gold and jewels to Mexico.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various

British Dictionary definitions for goldbrick

gold brick

noun

something with only a superficial appearance of value

US slang an idler or shirker

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

goldbrick

Origin of goldbrick

Words related to goldbrick

How to use goldbrick in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for goldbrick