bricks and mortar

noun

1. 1. a building or buildings

      he invested in bricks and mortar rather than stocks and shares

   2. ( as modifier )

      a bricks-and-mortar fortune

2. 1. a physical business premises rather than an internet presence
   2. ( as modifier )

      bricks-and-mortar firms

Idioms and Phrases

Basic and essential, as in Matthew Arnold's essay (1865): “Margate, that bricks-and-mortar image of British Protestantism.” This phrase transfers essential building materials to other fundamental matters. It also may be used more literally to denote a building or buildings (whether or not made of bricks and mortar), as in The alumni prefer to see their donations in the form of bricks and mortar . [Mid-1800s]

Example Sentences

I told the homeowner that my money was on her chimney bricks and mortar.

From Seattle Times

South Korea played its ultimate cultural gamble, pumping investment not into bricks and mortar, but information technology and the fledgling pop culture industries it was enabling; pop music, fashion, cosmetics, TV and film.

From National Geographic

TikTok stars and viral chefs have opened some of L.A.’s most anticipated bricks and mortars, but do these new restaurants have what it takes to make it in the city’s competitive restaurant scene?

From Los Angeles Times

It also said it would continue to focus on bricks and mortar branches.

From BBC

Virgin Money will close 39 of its UK banks as fewer people use bricks and mortar branches and move to online banking, the firm said.

From BBC