bricking

Building with blocks

Bricking is rendering an electronic device completely unusable—as functional as a brick.

It typically happens when a software update goes wrong, firmware gets corrupted, or someone attempts an unauthorized modification: I was jailbreaking my phone and ended up bricking it.

A bricked device won't boot or respond to inputs.

Some bricking is reversible; some is permanent.

device

malfunction

Failure to operate properly

unresponsiveFailing to react or reply
deadNo longer alive
firmwareHardware's permanent programming

paperweight · unbootable · flash · ROM · jailbreak · root · corrupt · freeze · glitch · bug

masonry

mortar

Grinding bowl or binder

trowelFlat blade for spreading
wallVertical enclosing structure
chimneyVertical smoke passage

laying · cement · bond · stretcher · header · course · pointing · repointing · veneer · facade

basketball

shot

Quick liquor serving

three-pointerBeyond-arc basketball score
airballShot missing everything
missFail to reach

clank · off-target · choke · misfire · short · long · contested

obstruct

seal

Authentication stamp or mark

barricadeObstacle blocking a path
blockadeSealing off a place
encloseShut in on all sides

block · impede · barrier · partition · entomb · immure

bricking

malfunction

mortar

shot

seal

bricking

Opposites

Phrases

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