brick
1. A rectangular block of clay or other material, hardened by drying in the sun or burning in a kiln, used in building
The construction workers stacked bricks to build the wall.
Os operários empilharam tijolos para construir a parede.
2. A solid block or chunk of something (figurative)
He ate a brick of chocolate.
Ele comeu um tijolo de chocolate.
3. In Brazilian slang: a stupid or clumsy person
That guy is such a brick (idiot).
Esse cara é um tijolo (idiota).
In Brazil, 'tijolo' is fundamental to construction terminology given the prevalence of brick and adobe construction in residential and commercial buildings. The slang usage referring to a foolish person ('que tijolo!') is particularly common in Rio de Janeiro and other urban centers. The word also appears in Brazilian popular culture and music as a metaphor for obstacles or hardship.
Related Idioms & Phrases
cabeça de tijolo (hardheaded person)
quebrar a cara com um tijolo (to fail miserably)
dar com os tijolos (to hit rock bottom)
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