goldbrick

• Nom avec plusieurs sens : soldat ou personne qui esquive ses devoirs ou évite ses responsabilités ; personne oisive ou bon à rien ; bloc en forme de brique présenté comme de l'or ; ou toute chose qui semble précieuse mais qui est en réalité sans valeur.

A noun with several meanings: a soldier or person who avoids duties or shirks responsibility; an idle, worthless person; a brick‑shaped block that deceives as gold; or anything that seems valuable but is actually worthless.

1. Shirker or lazy personC1informalamerican

   A person, especially a soldier, who avoids work or responsibilities and performs duties with minimal effort.

   Tire-au-flanc

   • The sergeant called the new recruit a goldbrick for always finding excuses to skip drills.
   • He was known as a goldbrick in the office, always taking long breaks.
   • The team couldn't rely on a goldbrick who never pulled his weight.

   Synonymesdodgeridlerlayaboutloafermalingerershirkerslackersluggard

   Antonymeshard workerworker

2. Idle or worthless personC1informalamerican

   A person who is considered lazy, unproductive, and of little value to society or a group.

   fainéant, bon à rien

   • The old man called the loiterers a bunch of goldbricks.
   • He was dismissed from the job as a goldbrick who never contributed.
   • Don't be a goldbrick; help us finish the project.

   Synonymesdronegood-for-nothingidlerlayaboutloafershirkersluggard

   Antonymesachievercontributordoerearnerproducerworker

3. Fake gold brickC2formal

   A brick-shaped block that is made to look like gold but is actually made of a less valuable material.

   Fausse brique d'or

   • The swindler tried to sell a goldbrick to the unsuspecting miner.
   • The museum displayed a goldbrick used in historical scams.
   • He realized the bar was a goldbrick only after testing its density.

4. Deceptive or worthless itemC2informalamerican

   Anything that appears valuable or promising but is actually worthless or fraudulent.

   Objet trompeur ou sans valeur

   • The investment turned out to be a goldbrick, leaving investors with nothing.
   • The antique vase was a goldbrick, a cheap replica painted to look old.
   • His promises were just a goldbrick to get our money.

   Synonymescounterfeitdudfakefraudhumbugimposturelemonphonyshamswindle

   Antonymesassetbargainfindgemtreasure

• Verbe signifiant se soustraire à ses obligations ou à ses responsabilités, souvent en faisant semblant d'être malade ou en évitant le travail ; à l'origine, nom désignant un escroc ou une chose sans valeur.

A verb meaning to shirk one's duties or responsibilities, often by pretending to be ill or by avoiding work; originally a noun for a swindler or a worthless item.

1. Shirk or avoid dutiesC1informalamerican

   To avoid one's assigned responsibilities or work, often by pretending to be busy or ill.

   Tirer au flanc

   • He was always goldbricking when there was a difficult task.
   • The manager caught him goldbricking instead of finishing the report.
   • She goldbricked her way through the project, leaving others to do the work.

   Synonymesdodgeevadeidleloafmalingershirkskiveslackslack offtruant

   Antonymesapplylaborslogtoilwork

2. Cheat or swindleC1informalamerican

   To deprive someone of something through deceit or fraud.

   escroquer

   • The con artist goldbricked the elderly couple out of their savings.
   • He goldbricked his way into the company by lying about his credentials.
   • They goldbricked investors with promises of huge returns.

   Synonymesbilkcheatcondefraudfleecegullhoodwinkrookswindle