bricks and mortar

noun

1. 1. a building or buildings

      he invested in bricks and mortar rather than stocks and shares

   2. ( as modifier )

      a bricks-and-mortar fortune

2. 1. a physical business premises rather than an internet presence

   2. ( as modifier )

      bricks-and-mortar firms

Idioms and Phrases

Basic and essential, as in Matthew Arnold's essay (1865): “Margate, that bricks-and-mortar image of British Protestantism.” This phrase transfers essential building materials to other fundamental matters. It also may be used more literally to denote a building or buildings (whether or not made of bricks and mortar), as in The alumni prefer to see their donations in the form of bricks and mortar. [Mid-1800s]

Example Sentences

Their new homes are metal containers, rather than bricks and mortar.

From BBC

While the old Leitch architecture gave the Goodison Park structure something unique, it also possesses something bricks and mortar simply cannot provide.

From BBC

The brand still exists online, but what remains of the hundreds of bricks and mortar shops that were once dotted across the UK?

From BBC

"We've been doing 150 years of bricks and mortar standing at the front of the classroom," he said.

From BBC

I told the homeowner that my money was on her chimney bricks and mortar.

From Seattle Times