goldbrick

[gohld-brik, gohld-brik]

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.

verb (used without object)

Slang.

1. to shirk responsibility or perform halfheartedly; loaf.

verb (used with object)

1. to swindle; cheat.

Word History and Origins

Origin of goldbrick¹

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

Example Sentences

The acid wasn’t exactly AWOL, but it was goldbricking like crazy.

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London Mayor Sadiq Khan echoed that idea Monday, telling ITV News that the “goldbricked” London homes of Russian oligarchs could be used to help with the refugee crisis.

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At first he thought the agents were goldbricking it, then he saw Harald on a swing.

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“It looks like the troops are goldbricking again and the C.O. needs to revamp the work detail. Let’s cut the idle chitchat and police up the area.”

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Horrible bosses are convinced that employees who don’t want to work 60-hour work weeks are slackers and goldbricks.

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