Pronunciation: [hˈɪtɪŋ bɹˈɪks] (IPA) 
The phrase "hitting bricks" can be confusing when it comes to spelling. The correct spelling is "hitting" as in /ˈhɪtɪŋ/ and "bricks" as in /brɪks/. The sound "ing" is spelled with "i" and "t" comes after "i". "Bricks" is spelled with "br" at the beginning and a short "i" sound in the middle. The phrase means to stop and take a break or leave a place, and it's important to spell it correctly to avoid confusion.
Hitting bricks is a colloquial expression used to describe the act of encountering difficulties or experiencing setbacks in one's endeavors or goals. The phrase is often used in situations where progress or success is impeded, resulting in frustration or disappointment.
The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the visual image of physically hitting a wall made of bricks. Just like hitting a brick wall abruptly stops forward movement, encountering obstacles or challenges can bring a halt to progress or achievement. Thus, hitting bricks implies facing unexpected difficulties or barriers that hinder one's plans, dreams, or objectives.
The phrase is commonly employed in various domains, such as personal relationships, professional careers, or any endeavor involving effort, planning, or pursuit of a desired outcome. For instance, in business, hitting bricks may refer to encountering obstacles in achieving sales targets, encountering financial setbacks, or facing challenges in project implementation.
Overall, hitting bricks denotes the experience of being thwarted, frustrated, or disillusioned by unexpected obstacles or setbacks. The expression highlights the feeling of impact, resistance, or stagnation that occurs when progress is halted, emphasizing the need to reassess strategies, find new approaches, or develop resilience to overcome challenges and ultimately move forward towards success.
The phrase "hitting bricks" is not commonly used or recognized with a specific etymology. However, "hitting bricks" could refer to the act of encountering obstacles or facing difficulty, possibly in the context of a construction worker or a bricklayer encountering challenges while working with bricks. It may also be a metaphorical expression for facing a figurative wall or barrier in a particular situation. Despite its potential usage, it does not have a widely accepted etymology or a documented origin.
