Gaming
brick
What does brick mean?
A missed shot that hits the rim or backboard hard and bounces off with no chance of going in. Named because the ball drops like a brick.
"He threw up a brick from the free-throw line with the game on the line."
Origin
Long-standing basketball slang comparing a clanging miss to a thrown brick. Chants of 'brick, brick' at free-throw shooters date back decades in American gyms.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'brick' mean in basketball?
It's a badly missed shot that clangs off the rim or backboard. As a verb, to brick means to shoot terribly.
Why is a missed shot called a brick?
Because a hard, ugly miss sounds and looks like you threw an actual brick at the hoop rather than a smooth shot.
Can 'brick' mean failing at non-sports things?
Yes, people say they 'bricked it' for any clumsy failed attempt, like flubbing an interview or a joke.
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