What Does โBrick sth inโ Mean?
โBrick sth inโ means to firmly fix or secure something in place, often by building around it with bricks or similar materials. It usually refers to making something permanent or immovable.
Introduction
The phrase โbrick sth inโ is a phrasal verb used mainly in construction and everyday language to describe the action of enclosing or securing an object by building bricks around it. The brick sth in meaning can be both literal, such as physically surrounding a window with bricks, or figurative, such as firmly establishing an idea or plan. Understanding how to use โbrick sth inโ helps learners describe situations where something is fixed securely or made permanent, which is useful in various contexts including home improvement, architecture, and metaphorical expressions.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: brick something in
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: to enclose or fix something by building bricks around it
Structure (Grammar Rules)
โBrick sth inโ is a separable phrasal verb. This means you can place the object between โbrickโ and โin,โ or after the whole phrase:
- brick something in
- brick in something
Examples:
- They bricked the door in to prevent entry.
- The door was bricked in after the renovation.
How to Use โBrick sth inโ?
Use โbrick sth inโ when you want to describe the act of securing or enclosing an object by surrounding it with bricks. It often applies to physical objects like windows, doors, or openings, but can sometimes be used metaphorically to indicate making something permanent or unchangeable.
Remember, the object can be placed between โbrickโ and โinโ or after the phrase, depending on sentence flow.
Examples
- The old fireplace was bricked in during the house renovation.
- They decided to brick in the unused doorway to increase wall space.
- After the security breach, they quickly bricked the window in.
- The contractor bricked the meter box in to protect it from damage.
- She bricked in the shelves to make the room look cleaner.
Brick sth in in a sentence: The workers bricked in the basement window to improve security.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: They bricked in the door.
- Correct: They bricked the door in.
- Incorrect: He bricked in the window.
- Correct: He bricked the window in.
Note: While both forms are correct, placing the object between โbrickโ and โinโ is generally preferred for clarity.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include board up, seal off, and wall up.
- Board up: Cover an opening with boards, usually temporarily.
- Seal off: Close or block an area to prevent access, can be permanent or temporary.
- Wall up: Similar to โbrick in,โ but specifically means to build a wall to close an opening.
โBrick sth inโ implies a more permanent and solid closure than โboard up,โ which is often temporary. โWall upโ is very close in meaning but usually focuses on building a full wall rather than just using bricks.
Common Collocations
- brick a window in
- brick a door in
- brick an opening in
- brick a fireplace in
- brick a meter box in
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of brick sth in:
Real-life Dialogue
John: Did you see the old door in the basement?
Mary: Yes, they bricked it in last week.
John: Why did they do that?
Mary: To keep the area secure and prevent drafts.
Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct form of โbrick inโ:
- They decided to _______ the old window _______ after it broke.
- We need to _______ the unused doorway _______ for safety reasons.
FAQs
- Q: Is โbrick sth inโ always about physical bricks?
A: Mostly yes, but it can be used metaphorically to mean making something permanent. - Q: Can I say โbrick in the doorโ?
A: Itโs better to say โbrick the door in,โ but both are understood. - Q: Is โbrick sth inโ formal or informal?
A: It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. - Q: What is the difference between โbrick inโ and โboard upโ?
A: โBrick inโ is permanent; โboard upโ is usually temporary. - Q: Can โbrick sth inโ be used figuratively?
A: Yes, sometimes to mean making something fixed or unchangeable.
