head on a brick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "head on a brick" is not a standard expression in English and may not be widely recognized or usable in written English.
It could be interpreted in various ways depending on context, but it is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions. Example: "He was as stubborn as a head on a brick when it came to changing his mind."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

We are absolutely smashing our head on a brick wall".

The Guardian - Sport

If you've repeatedly tried changing a habit and the new habit never sticks, stop and figure out why before just beating your head on a brick wall with the latest diet, time management schedule or whatever.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The sculpture of his plant-fringed head now hangs on a brick wall — Caravaggio meets Greek mythology meets Florent, "the French-American Princess," as he calls himself.

The New York Times

In "Let Nature Takes Its Course (and Hope It Passes)," which features a deer's head on a copper-leafed brick wall flanked by earlier Heagle paintings, the eye moves from the wall to a gaily painted goblet, to a similarly bright candelabra.

The New York Times - Arts

Two small children were killed and their parents were critically burned. 1 Brick-Attack Victim Recovering Nicole Barrett, the woman bashed in the head with a brick on a Manhattan sidewalk a year ago, plans to resume horseback riding soon as she continues to recover from brain injuries at her childhood home in Athens, Tex.

The New York Times

Unlike traditional limited-stock doorbusters, these guaranteed deals were less risky for consumers who were deciding whether it was worth heading to a brick-and-mortar store on Thanksgiving.

Huffington Post

A gas station cashier testified Monday that Damian Monroe Williams hit trucker Reginald O. Denny on the head with a brick at the outset of the Los Angeles riots last year and that Williams earlier had threatened to attack and kill people.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A teenager has denied murdering a man in a cemetery by striking him on the head with a brick.

BBC

By the time police arrived, Ms Parveen had been killed after being hit on the head with a brick, he added.

BBC

This meant that the sociopath who hit you on the head with a brick and took your wallet — an offense level around 26 in the federal sentencing guidelines — could have the level raised to 29 if somewhere along the way he did some heavy cursing about your ethnicity.

Forbes

For some people the idea of ending up in a nursing home did not present a problem, but for others: "... it's the bane of their lives, hit me on the head with a brick rather than let me go to a nursing home".

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "head on a brick", ensure the context clearly conveys either the idea of physical impact or, metaphorically, encountering an unyielding obstacle or person. Consider stronger, more common idioms for greater clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "head on a brick" when you intend to convey simple frustration or minor inconvenience. Its impact is stronger, suggesting a significant obstacle or blow. Use more common phrases like "annoying" or "difficult" for less severe situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "head on a brick" functions as a noun phrase, often used metaphorically. It can describe a literal event (striking one's head on a brick) or, more commonly, to express the feeling of facing an insurmountable obstacle or a futile situation. Ludwig indicates that it is not a standard expression.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "head on a brick" is a relatively uncommon expression that can be used literally or metaphorically. Literally, it describes hitting one's head on a brick. Metaphorically, it signifies facing a stubborn obstacle or futile situation, similar to "banging your head against a wall". Ludwig indicates that the phrase is not standard, so more common idioms might be preferable for clarity. While grammatically acceptable and understandable, using stronger, more common idioms is generally advised for better communication. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media and wiki contexts. Therefore, consider its implications before using it in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

banging head against a wall

Focuses on the futility of persistent effort against an unyielding obstacle.

hitting a brick wall

Emphasizes encountering a sudden, insurmountable obstacle or setback.

stubborn as a mule

Highlights extreme stubbornness and unwillingness to change one's mind.

hard-headed

Implies a refusal to listen to reason or advice.

getting nowhere

Indicates a lack of progress despite effort.

spinning wheels

Suggests expending energy without achieving any meaningful results.

facing adversity

Highlights the challenge of dealing with difficult or unfavorable circumstances.

up against it

Emphasizes being in a difficult or challenging situation.

a major setback

Focuses on the negative impact of an unexpected obstacle.

an uphill battle

Suggests a difficult and prolonged struggle against significant odds.

FAQs

What does "head on a brick" mean?

The phrase "head on a brick" can refer literally to someone hitting their head on a brick. Metaphorically, it describes a situation where someone is stubbornly persisting in a futile endeavor, similar to "banging your head against a wall".

Is "head on a brick" a common idiom?

No, "head on a brick" is not a widely recognized idiom. While understandable, it's less common than similar expressions like "hitting a brick wall" or "stubborn as a mule".

What can I say instead of "head on a brick" to describe stubbornness?

To describe stubbornness, consider using phrases like "hard-headed", "stubborn as a mule", or "unyielding". These are more common and easily understood.

How can I use "head on a brick" in a sentence?

You can use "head on a brick" to describe either a literal impact or a metaphorical situation of futility. For example: "He felt like he was hitting his "head on a brick" trying to convince her".