a brick of meat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brick of meat" is not a standard expression in written English, but it can be understood in context.
It could be used to describe a large, solid piece of meat, perhaps in a culinary or descriptive context. Example: "The butcher presented a brick of meat, perfect for slow roasting."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

His ability to tease out the richness and tenderness in meats is underscored best by a brick of suckling pig meat, also poached in olive oil.

The New York Times - Food

Order a ham, salami and mutz sub ($6.50), as I did on a recent visit, and you'll receive a two-inch-thick brick of meat, cheese and toppings, enough for two meals.

The New York Times

Eat a brick of hash.

Vice

Or stepped on a brick of Lego!

Vice

Technique serves deliciousness, rather than distracting from it, in the suckling-pig entrée, which is presented like a meat bonbon: a neat brick of pressed pork, bookended with sprigs of julienned burdock, pickled and fried.

The New Yorker

This is a region of meat eaters.

The New Yorker

The Glaziers buy a lot of meat.

The New York Times - Food

But Gwen is a Disneyland of meat.

Los Angeles Times

Eat a lot of meat.

WikiHow

Select a cut of meat.

WikiHow

Grab a bit of meat or fish.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the specific connotations of "brick"—its solidity and regular shape—to ensure it aligns with the intended imagery. If the meat is loosely formed, alternatives like "chunk" or "mass" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "a brick of meat" in formal or professional contexts where a more precise or neutral term like "portion of meat" would be more suitable. The phrase carries a casual or descriptive tone that may be inappropriate for formal discourse.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brick of meat" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as a descriptive element within a sentence. It specifies the form and substance of the meat, painting a vivid picture of its physical characteristics. This aligns with Ludwig's assessment, which characterizes the phrase as understandable in context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a brick of meat" is a descriptive noun phrase used to vividly depict a dense, substantial portion of meat. While grammatically sound, it's not a standard expression, according to Ludwig, and is relatively rare in usage. Its primary function is to provide a clear image of the meat's shape and size, making it suitable for informal contexts like news articles or descriptive writing. More formal settings may benefit from more precise alternatives such as "a portion of meat". The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slab of meat

Replaces "brick" with "slab", emphasizing the flat, broad shape of the meat.

a block of meat

Substitutes "brick" with "block", highlighting the three-dimensional, solid form of the meat.

a chunk of meat

Uses "chunk" instead of "brick", focusing on a roughly cut, substantial piece of meat.

a mass of meat

Replaces "brick" with "mass", emphasizing the undifferentiated quantity of meat.

a hefty portion of meat

Describes the meat as a "hefty portion", emphasizing its generous size.

a substantial piece of meat

Highlights the considerable size and significance of the meat portion.

a solid serving of meat

Focuses on the meat's density and satisfying quantity.

a compact portion of meat

Emphasizes the tightly packed nature of the meat.

a pressed meat block

Specifies that the meat has been pressed into a block shape, adding detail about its preparation.

a solid meat form

Highlights that the meat has been shaped into a solid form.

FAQs

How can I use "a brick of meat" in a sentence?

You might say, "The butcher presented "a brick of meat", perfect for slow roasting," to emphasize the size and shape of the cut.

What can I say instead of "a brick of meat"?

You can use alternatives like "a slab of meat", "a block of meat", or "a chunk of meat" depending on the specific shape and texture you want to convey.

Is "a brick of meat" a common expression?

No, ""a brick of meat"" is not a common expression. While grammatically correct, it's more descriptive than frequently used, so consider your audience and context.

What's the difference between "a brick of meat" and "a cut of meat"?

"A brick of meat" implies a specific, dense shape and potentially large size, while "a cut of meat" is a general term referring to any portion of meat prepared for cooking.