goldbrick

American  

[gohld-brik, gohld-brik] / ˈgoʊldˈbrɪk, ˈgoʊldˌbrɪk /

noun

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

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

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

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verb (used without object)

Slang.

1. to shirk responsibility or perform halfheartedly; loaf.

verb (used with object)

1. to swindle; cheat.

Etymology

Origin of goldbrick

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

Example Sentences

In spite of his rare protective talents as a chowhound and goldbrick, Lanza's throat was so raw with Texas dust that he could not sing.

From Time Magazine Archive

Among its 113 characters, every military type is represented�the good soldier, the coward, the goldbrick, the rank-happy shavetail, the lucky and the wound-prone.

From Time Magazine Archive

Andy Sheaffer, the hero, is a goldbrick long before he gets to the induction center.

From Time Magazine Archive

For $100 to $500 per employee, handwriting analysts will assess at least 20 different cursive characteristics and advise the prospective employer about the chances of a person's being a future embezzler or goldbrick.

From Time Magazine Archive

I do not feel hard toward goldbrick men and "blue sky" venders.

From The University of Hard Knocks by Parlette, Ralph