goldbrick

/ˈɡoʊldbrɪk/
verb
  1. To avoid work or responsibility, especially by pretending to be ill or busy.
    • He tried to goldbrick his way out of the project by claiming he was sick.
    • The employee was fired for goldbricking during the busy season.
    • Stop goldbricking and help us finish the job.
noun
  1. A person who avoids work or responsibility, especially by pretending to be sick or busy.
    • The coach benched the goldbrick who skipped practice all week.
    • She called him a goldbrick after he faked a headache to leave early.
    • Everyone in the office knows he's a goldbrick who never finishes his tasks.
  2. Something that appears valuable but is actually worthless; a fraud or sham.
    • He bought a goldbrick at the flea market, thinking it was real gold.
    • The investment turned out to be a goldbrick, promising riches but delivering nothing.
    • The scheme was a goldbrick designed to trick inexperienced buyers.
Antonyms