# built like a brick shithouse

idiom · Vulgar

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/built-like-a-brick-shithouse
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Of a man, having a muscular body, particularly with well-developed muscles of the chest, arms and abdominals.

## Examples

- That new bodyguard is built like a brick shithouse.
- He spent years lifting heavy weights at the gym and is now built like a brick shithouse.
- The athlete returned from his rigorous training camp built like a brick shithouse, ready to dominate the competition.

## Origin

From the figurative extension of the idea that an outhouse is unnecessarily overbuilt if one chooses to construct it with bricks.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.