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# a brick short of a load

phrase (idiom; slang)

«a brick short of a load» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

(slang, insulting) not very clever, a bit stupid or mad.

### In the lessons

A jokey insult from the family of «a few X short of a Y» sayings; UK, Australia and New Zealand; banter and rough talk.

### Examples

- He's a brick short of a load, that one.
- You'd have to be a brick short of a load to swim in that river in winter.
- Don't listen to him, he's a brick short of a load.
- Gossip: «Nice enough, but a brick short of a load.»
- I felt a brick short of a load when I couldn't open the door — it said PULL.
- Banter: «Oi, brick short of a load, your shoes are on the wrong feet!»

### Note

Stands for «stupid» or «mad». Not about real bricks. Hurts if said about someone with a real learning difficulty. Many variants: «a sandwich short of a picnic», «a stubby short of a six-pack».