clanger

drop a brick

1. To unintentionally say or do something embarrassing, tactless, or indiscreet; to commit some social faux pas or mistake. Primarily heard in UK. I dropped a brick on our first date by ordering veal, only realizing later that he's a staunch animal rights advocate.

2. To announce a particularly surprising, alarming, or upsetting piece of news. An alternative form of "drop a bombshell." Primarily heard in US. Mary dropped a brick when she told me she was moving to France next week. I'm about to drop a brick on my parents by telling them that I'm going to quit law school and pursue a career in art.

See also: brick, drop

drop a clanger

To accidentally do something embarrassing. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. I really dropped a clanger when I asked Julia about her surprise party—which hadn't happened yet.

See also: clanger, drop

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

drop a brick

Also, drop a clanger. Say something indiscreet, commit a social gaffe. For example, John dropped a brick when he called her by his ex-wife's name. [Slang; 1920s]

See also: brick, drop

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

drop a brick

BRITISH

If you drop a brick, you say something which upsets or offends other people. After his comments on the live TV programme, Mr Freeman was immediately aware that he had dropped a political brick of the worst kind.

See also: brick, drop

drop a clanger

BRITISH, INFORMAL

If you drop a clanger, you make a very embarrassing mistake. Conservatives in Eastleigh dropped a clanger in their election leaflet by admitting that few people will be voting for them tomorrow. The presenter dropped a clanger on this morning's show by referring to the singer's long-haired son as a girl. Note: This expression probably comes from comparing an obvious and embarrassing mistake with the clang or loud ringing noise made when a heavy metal object is dropped.

See also: clanger, drop

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

drop a brick

make an indiscreet or embarrassing remark. British informal

See also: brick, drop

drop a clanger

make an embarrassing or foolish mistake. British informal

Dropping something that makes a loud clang attracts attention; this mid 20th-century expression is used especially in the context of a very embarrrassing or tactless act or remark made in a social situation.

1998 Spectator Yet he never escaped from his own nagging suspicion that he had somehow overachieved…and that he was likely to drop a huge clanger at any moment.

See also: clanger, drop

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

drop a ˈbrick/ˈclanger

(British English, informal) say or do something that offends or embarrasses somebody, although you did not intend to: I dropped a real clanger when I mentioned the party. He hadn’t been invited.

See also: brick, clanger, drop

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

drop a brick

and drop a bomb(shell)

tv. to reveal startling information. Britney came in and dropped a brick that scared us all. She dropped a bombshell when she told us she was married again.

See also: brick, drop

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

drop a brick

Informal

To make a clumsy social error.

See also: brick, drop

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.