Brick and mortar

Meaning

Physical businesses with real-world locations.

Usage

Used when distinguishing physical stores from digital ones.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Literal bricks and mortar used in construction.

Used since industrial retail expansion to differentiate storefronts.