Built like a brick outhouse
Meaning
This idiom describes someone or something as being very large, strong, and incredibly sturdy in physical build.
Origin
The very word "outhouse" conjures images of a humble, often rickety wooden shack, perched precariously at the back of a rural property. But now, picture one built not of flimsy timber, but of solid, enduring brick. This stark contrast between a simple, often crude structure and its unexpectedly robust construction gives "built like a brick outhouse" its vivid power. Emerging in the 20th century, the phrase latched onto this image of unparalleled durability, transferring it from an exceptionally sturdy lavatory to a person or object possessing an imposing, unyielding physical presence—a formidable form that can seemingly weather any storm.
Examples
- The bouncer at the club was built like a brick outhouse, easily handling any trouble that arose.
- Even after years of neglect, the old shed, built like a brick outhouse, stood firm against the strongest winds.