hit the bricks

Idioms and Phrases

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

Example Sentences

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.

From Salon

If not, he can hit the bricks.

From Slate

You have to hit the bricks and take that leap.

From Salon

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.

From Slate

“Hit the bricks,” Haynes told his students.

From Washington Times

Related Words

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