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. Also goldbricker. Slang. 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.

From Washington Post

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.

From Washington Post

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

From Washington Post

“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.”

From Literature

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

From Time