hit the bricks

1. Go out on strike, as in The union voted to hit the bricks as soon as their contract expired. [Slang; 1940s]

Example Sentences

Every coach has to hit the bricks and turn over the roster with win-now, experienced talent.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The day before close to 85,000 Kaiser Permanente workers in several states hit the bricks in the largest healthcare strike in American history, the Washington Post reported the results of an explosive year-long investigation that revealed the country's life expectancy was cratering in large measure thanks to premature deaths due to chronic illness.

Read more on Salon

If not, he can hit the bricks.

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You have to hit the bricks and take that leap.

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You’ve evolved and become a happier person—and if she’s not screaming from the rooftops saying how proud she is of you, then she can hit the bricks.

Read more on Slate

Related Words

• abandon 
• blast off 
• disappear 
• escape 
• evacuate 
• exit 
• go 
• pull out 
• quit 
• remove 
• retire 
• vacate 
• withdraw