1brick 
/ˈbrɪk/ noun
plural bricks /ˈbrɪk/ noun 1 a [count] : a small, hard block of baked clay that is used to build structures (such as houses) and sometimes to make streets, paths, etc.
▪ a pile of bricks
b [noncount] : blocks of baked clay used as building material
▪ a house made of brick ▪ Most of the buildings in the town are (made of) brick. — often used before another noun ▪ a brick wall/building/oven ▪ a brick sidewalk 2 [count] a : a block of something
▪ a brick of ice cream ▪ a glass brick
b Brit : a child's toy block
▪ children playing with wooden bricks 3 [count] informal + somewhat old-fashioned : a helpful or dependable person
▪ He has been an absolute brick.
▪ a pile of bricks
b [noncount] : blocks of baked clay used as building material
▪ a house made of brick ▪ Most of the buildings in the town are (made of) brick. — often used before another noun ▪ a brick wall/building/oven ▪ a brick sidewalk
▪ a brick of ice cream ▪ a glass brick
b Brit : a child's toy block
▪ children playing with wooden bricks
▪ He has been an absolute brick.
bricks and mortar
Brit : houses and other buildings especially when people consider buying them because of their possible future value
▪ Market uncertainties have been driving the rush to invest in bricks and mortar. — see also brick-and-mortar
▪ Market uncertainties have been driving the rush to invest in bricks and mortar. — see also brick-and-mortar
drop a brick — see 2drop
like a ton of bricks
informal : very hard or severely
▪ The loss of his job hit him like a ton of bricks. [=hit him very hard; made him very upset, unhappy, etc.] ▪ Our boss came down on us like a ton of bricks [=got very angry at us] when he found out we had missed the meeting.
▪ The loss of his job hit him like a ton of bricks. [=hit him very hard; made him very upset, unhappy, etc.] ▪ Our boss came down on us like a ton of bricks [=got very angry at us] when he found out we had missed the meeting.
