brick-bat

A child picks up a brick-bat from a pile of old construction debris.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A piece of brick, especially one used as a missile: "brickbat" refers to a fragment of a brick, often thrown in anger or as a weapon.
   • A critical remark or insult: In figurative use, "brickbat" means a harsh or unkind comment directed at someone.

Usage Examples

• Literal use:

  • The protesters hurled brickbats at the police during the riot. (They threw pieces of brick as missiles.)
  • He was struck by a brickbat thrown from the crowd. (He was hit by a fragment of brick.)

• Figurative use:

  • The politician faced brickbats from the opposition for her new policy. (She received harsh critical remarks.)
  • Instead of praise, the artist received only brickbats from the critics. (He got only insults and negative comments.)

Advanced Usage

• "to exchange brickbats": to trade insults or criticisms.

  • The two rivals exchanged brickbats during the debate. (They traded harsh words back and forth.)

• "brickbat and bouquet": a phrase contrasting criticism (brickbat) with praise (bouquet).

  • The performer received both brickbats and bouquets from the audience. (She got both negative and positive reactions.)

Variants and Related Words

• Brickbat (n) is a compound word; no direct variants exist. Related terms include:
  • Brick (n): a rectangular block of baked clay used in building.

    • The wall was made of red brick. (A building material.)
  • Bat (n): a piece of brick or stone; also a club used in sports.

    • He used a bat to break the window. (A hitting tool.)

Synonyms

• Missile: an object thrown as a weapon.
  • Stones and bottles were used as missiles. (Objects thrown to harm.)
• Insult: a disrespectful or scornful remark.
  • His comment was a direct insult. (A hurtful statement.)
• Criticism: the expression of disapproval.
  • She faced strong criticism for her decision. (Negative feedback.)
• Rebuke: a sharp expression of disapproval.
  • He received a rebuke from his boss. (A stern reprimand.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Hurl brickbats at: to throw criticisms or insults at someone.
  • The media hurled brickbats at the celebrity for his scandal. (They directed harsh criticisms toward him.)

Related Idioms

• "Throw brickbats": to criticize or insult someone severely.

  • The audience threw brickbats at the speaker after his offensive remarks. (They shouted insults and criticisms.)

• "A brickbat in the face": a direct and harsh insult or setback.

  • The rejection felt like a brickbat in the face. (It was a painful and unexpected criticism.)