Brick sth up Meaning, Examples & How to Use This Phrasal Verb

What Does “Brick sth up” Mean?

“Brick sth up” means to block or close an opening, such as a door or window, by filling it with bricks or similar materials.

Introduction

The phrase “Brick sth up” is commonly used when talking about construction or repairs, especially when someone wants to close off a space permanently or temporarily. The “brick sth up meaning” involves sealing an opening by filling it with bricks, making it no longer accessible or visible. This phrasal verb is practical and often used in building, renovation, or even metaphorically to describe blocking or closing off options or paths. Understanding how to use “brick sth up” correctly helps English learners describe physical actions and situations clearly.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: brick something up
• Type: transitive
• Level: B2
• Short meaning: to close an opening by filling it with bricks

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Brick sth up” is a separable phrasal verb. This means you can place the object (something) between the verb and the particle “up” or after the whole phrasal verb.

• brick something up
• brick up something

Examples:

• They bricked the window up last week.
• The workers bricked up the old doorway.

How to Use “Brick sth up”?

Use “brick sth up” when you want to describe the action of closing an opening with bricks or similar materials. It is most often used in construction or repair contexts but can also be used metaphorically.

For example, you might say: “The landlord decided to brick up the basement window for security reasons.”

Remember, it is a transitive verb, so it always needs an object – the thing being bricked up.

Examples

• The old factory door was bricked up after the building was abandoned.
• They bricked up the fireplace to prevent drafts.
• During the renovation, the workers bricked up several windows to create more wall space.
• The city council ordered the owner to brick up the unsafe entrance immediately.
• Brick sth up in a sentence: “We need to brick up the hole in the wall before winter.”

Common Mistakes

• Incorrect: They bricked up quickly the window.
  Correct: They quickly bricked up the window.
• Incorrect: She bricked the up door.
  Correct: She bricked up the door.
• Incorrect: The workers bricked the window.
  Correct: The workers bricked up the window.

Differences / Synonyms

Similar phrasal verbs include board up and seal off.

• Board up: To cover an opening with wooden boards, often temporarily.
• Seal off: To close an area completely to prevent access, not necessarily with bricks.

“Brick sth up” specifically refers to using bricks or masonry to close a space, usually more permanent than boarding up.

Common Collocations

• brick up a window
• brick up a door
• brick up an opening
• brick up a fireplace
• brick up a hole

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of brick sth up:

• Brick Sth In

Real-life Dialogue

Tom: Why did they brick up the old shop entrance?

Anna: The building is being converted into apartments, so they need to close off some doors.

Tom: Makes sense. I guess bricking it up is more secure than just boarding it up.

Practice

Choose the correct sentence:

• a) They bricked up the window yesterday.
• b) They bricked the up window yesterday.
• c) They bricked the window up yesterday quickly.

Answer: a) They bricked up the window yesterday.

FAQs

• Q: Can “brick sth up” be used metaphorically?
  A: Yes, sometimes it means to block or close options or opportunities.
• Q: Is “brick sth up” separable?
  A: Yes, you can place the object between “brick” and “up” or after the whole phrase.
• Q: What is the difference between “brick up” and “board up”?
  A: “Brick up” uses bricks and is more permanent, while “board up” uses wood and is often temporary.
• Q: Can I say “brick up the hole”?
  A: Yes, this is a common and correct usage.
• Q: Is “brick sth up” formal or informal?
  A: It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.