ENGLISH
REFERENCE

brick in one's hat

idiom
Meaning

Drunkenness.


Origin

first recorded 19th c.

US, circa 1846. Presumably due to staggering walk when drunk; compare top-heavy with drink.

Examples
SIMPLE

He had a brick in his hat after the party.

CONTEXTUAL

The man stumbled out of the tavern with a brick in his hat, laughing loudly at his own jokes.

COMPLEX

Despite his attempts to appear composed during the formal dinner, his slurred speech and unsteady gait betrayed the fact that he had a brick in his hat.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    abound in one's own sense

    To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.

  2. 02

    ace up one's sleeve

    A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.

  3. 03

    act one's age

    To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.

  4. 04

    act one's age, not one's shoe size

    Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).

  5. 05

    afraid of one's own shadow

    Exceptionally timid.

  6. 06

    air one's dirty laundry in public

    To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.

  7. 07

    air one's dirty linen in public

    Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.

  8. 08

    albatross around one's neck

    A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.

© 2026 English Reference