# brick in

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/brick-in
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

To build a wall of bricks around something or to fill an opening with bricks.

For teachers: To enclose an object or seal an aperture by surrounding or filling it with masonry. The verb is transitive and allows for object placement between the verb and particle.

## Examples

- We are going to brick in the new barbecue this weekend.
- The builders had to brick in the old doorway before they could start painting the exterior of the house.
- To maintain the historical aesthetic of the facade, the restoration team had to brick in the damaged sections using reclaimed materials from the original site.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He bricked the fireplace." but "He bricked in the fireplace." — The verb 'brick' requires the particle 'in' to describe the action of enclosing or filling a space.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used in home renovation and construction contexts.
- Teaching tip: Contrast with 'brick up'; while often interchangeable, 'brick in' more strongly suggests enclosing an object like a bathtub or a safe.

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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.