How would you interpret this phrase “shit a brick” in the context? How would you interpret this phrase “shit a brick” in the ninth sentence: When I told Gelfand, he nearly shit a brick? PS: in the previous context, the narrator had foiled a robbery in the supermarket. And the cashier was telling him that there’s a reward waiting for the narrator. Thank you. PS: the excerpt is taken from “Kneller’s Happy Campers” written by an Israeli author, Etgar Keret. And I’m reading an English translation. the context: “They’ll make it worth your while,” the cashier pitched in. “There’s a reward.” Simon (the manager) was busy trying to pick up the TV dinners and work out the damage. I smiled at the cashier and told her thanks a lot, but never mind, and besides I gotta be somewhere and I can’t wait. “You sure?” she asked, disappointed. I could tell she was really cut up about it. “It’s a pretty neat reward. A weekend at a hotel.” When I told Gelfand, he nearly shit a brick. “A weekend at a hotel?” He peeled himself a banana. “Couldn’t be more obvious than that. The girl’s got it for you.” “Chill out,” I said. “It’s just store policy.” “What did she look like?” Gelfand ignored me. “Was she hot?” “She was OK, I guess, but . . .” “No buts,” he insisted. “Spit it out. How old did she look?”