goldbrick

UK: /ˈgəʊldˈbrɪk/ US: /ˈgoʊldˌbrɪk/ ,(gōld′brik′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

gold•brick /ˈgoʊldˌbrɪk/   n. [countable] [Slang.]

1. Also, ˈgoldˌbrick•er. a person who loafs on the job or avoids work.

v. [no object]

2. to loaf or avoid work.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

gold•brick  (gōld′brik′), n. 

1. [Informal.] a brick made to look like gold, sold by a swindler.
2. [Informal.] anything supposed to be valuable but which turns out to be worthless.
3. Also, gold′brick′er. [Slang.] a person, esp. a soldier, who shirks responsibility or performs duties without proper effort or care.

Slang. v.i. 

4. to shirk responsibility or perform halfheartedly;
   loaf.

v.t. 

5. to swindle;
   cheat.

• gold + brick 1850–55, American.