![A woman carries bricks on her head in India](/staticarchive/de98be743bf50399a9fcade796552930d76b7f1e.jpg)
A woman carries bricks on her head at a factory near Chennai, India. Photo: Babu/ Reuters.
Today's Phrase
If something is like a ton of bricks, it is very heavy. This expression can be used literally (to describe a heavy weight), or idiomatically (to describe a great shock or surprise).
Examples:
I can't carry that bag all the way home - it's like a ton of bricks!
The news about her grandfather's illness hit Suzanne like a ton of bricks.
Take note
If something weighs a ton, it is very heavy.
Example:
Can you help me to move this armchair? It weighs a ton!
Interesting fact
Bricks are one of the oldest building materials in the world. The first bricks discovered date back to 7,000 BC and were made from sun-dried mud.