How do you use "Built like a brick outhouse" in a sentence?

The bouncer was built like a brick outhouse. She started lifting weights and now she's built like a brick outhouse. He was built like a brick outhouse—no one messed with him.

Built like a brick outhouse

Q: What does "Built like a brick outhouse" mean?

Very solidly built; muscular and sturdy. Describes someone who is impressively muscular and strong-looking. The brick outhouse represents something overbuilt and very solid.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★☆☆ Moderate Casual

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Meaning: Very solidly built; muscular and sturdy.

身材非常结实；肌肉发达且强壮。

De constitución muy sólida; musculoso y robusto.

がっしりした体つき。筋肉質で頑丈。

아주 탄탄한 체격. 근육질이고 튼튼한.

Describes someone who is impressively muscular and strong-looking. The brick outhouse represents something overbuilt and very solid.

形容某人肌肉发达、看起来很强壮。砖砌外屋代表过度坚固、非常结实的东西。

Describe a alguien impresionantemente musculoso y de aspecto fuerte. La letrina de ladrillo representa algo sobredimensionado y muy sólido.

印象的に筋肉質で強そうな人を表す。レンガ造りの外便所は頑丈すぎるほど頑丈なものの象徴。

인상적으로 근육질이고 강해 보이는 사람을 묘사한다. 벽돌 화장실은 지나치게 튼튼하고 단단한 것을 상징한다.

Literal meaning: Constructed like an outside toilet made of bricks (overbuilt)

Examples

The bouncer was built like a brick outhouse.
那个保镖壮得像头牛
El portero estaba hecho un armario
あの用心棒はがっしりしていた
그 경비원은 떡대가 장난이 아니었다.
She started lifting weights and now she's built like a brick outhouse.
她开始练举重，现在壮得像头牛
Empezó a levantar pesas y ahora está hecha un armario
彼女は筋トレを始めて今ではがっしりした体になった
그녀는 역기를 시작하더니 이제 떡대가 장난이 아니다.
He was built like a brick outhouse—no one messed with him.
他壮得像头牛，没人敢惹他
Estaba hecho un armario, nadie se metía con él
彼はがっしりしていて誰も手を出さなかった
그는 떡대가 장난이 아니라 아무도 건드리지 못했다.

Pronunciation

/bɪlt laɪk ə brɪk ˈaʊthaʊs/

Usage Guide

Context: muscular, strong, body description

Tone: emphatic, admiring

✓ Do Say

Built like a brick outhouse.
壮得像头牛
Hecho un armario
がっしりしている
떡대가 장난이 아니야.
She's built like a brick outhouse.
她壮得像头牛
Está hecha un armario
彼女はがっしりしている
그녀는 떡대가 장난이 아니야.
Built like a brick.
很结实
Fuerte como un roble
がっしりしている
탄탄한 체격이야.

✗ Don't Say

Very muscular
Very muscular（普通说法）
Very muscular（expresión estándar）
Very muscular（普通の表現）
매우 근육질의
Solidly built
Solidly built（普通说法）
Solidly built（expresión estándar）
Solidly built（普通の表現）
탄탄한 체격

Common Mistakes

Also heard as 'brick shithouse' (cruder version)
Generally a compliment for strength

Origin & History

From the idea that a brick outhouse is overbuilt—using brick for a simple structure.

Etymology: American/British

First recorded: Mid-20th century

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Working class origins

Pop culture: Sports commentary; Action movies

Regional notes: Common in all English-speaking countries.

Variations

Built like a brick outhouseBuilt like a brick shithouseBuilt like a tank