flying brick

English

Noun

flying brick (plural flying bricks)

1. (aviation, colloquial) An aircraft which is too heavy and lacks sufficient power to be maneuvered easily.
2. (informal, chiefly humorous) A fictional character who has superstrength, invulnerability and the ability to fly.

Usage notes

• Often used to describe the Space Shuttle after its return to the Earth's atmosphere.

See also

• flying wing