goldbrick
LowInformal, somewhat dated
Definition
Meaning
To avoid work or responsibility; to shirk duties, often while pretending to be busy or useful.
A person who avoids work; something that appears valuable but is worthless or fraudulent (historical).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Originally a US military slang term for a swindle or a lazy soldier. The modern sense focuses on deceitful laziness rather than outright fraud.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily an American term. In British English, 'skive' or 'shirk' are more common for the verb meaning.
Connotations
American: strong connotation of deception and pretending to work. British: if used, understood but often seen as an Americanism.
Frequency
Very rare in contemporary UK usage. Moderately rare but recognizable in US informal/colloquial contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] goldbricks[Subject] is goldbricking[Subject] goldbricked [through the afternoon]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He's a goldbrick specialist.”
- “Don't pull a goldbrick on this project.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used critically to describe an employee avoiding tasks.
Academic
Rare; might appear in historical or sociological texts about work ethic.
Everyday
Informal criticism of someone not pulling their weight.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He managed to goldbrick his way through the entire audit, reviewing old files to look busy.
American English
- Stop goldbricking and start helping us move these boxes.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard usage)
American English
- (Not standard usage)
adjective
British English
- (Rare) His goldbrick tactics were finally exposed when the project failed.
American English
- We need to fire that goldbrick contractor who never shows up on site.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The new employee was caught goldbricking by playing on his phone.
- His reputation as a goldbrick meant no team wanted him for the important campaign.
- The sergeant could instantly spot a recruit who was attempting to goldbrick during inspection.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a brick painted gold: it looks valuable from a distance, but up close it's just a fake, heavy brick you don't want to carry (or do).
Conceptual Metaphor
WORK IS A BURDEN / DECEPTION IS A FAKE SURFACE (The 'gold' surface hides the worthless 'brick' of laziness).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Direct translation yields 'золотой кирпич', which is nonsensical for the verb meaning. Avoid calquing.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a noun for an actual valuable object. ("He bought a goldbrick.")
- Confusing with 'gold digger'.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate definition of 'to goldbrick' in modern usage?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's considered somewhat dated informal slang, primarily in American English. Words like 'slack off' or 'goof off' are more common today.
Historically, yes. In the late 19th/early 20th century, it referred to a fake gold bar used in swindles. This literal meaning is now obsolete.
'Procrastinate' means to delay tasks. 'Goldbrick' implies actively avoiding work while often pretending to be occupied, carrying a stronger sense of deceit.
Yes, it's a direct insult implying they are a lazy fraud in a work or duty context. It's stronger than calling someone 'lazy'.