Talking to a Brick Wall… Have you ever wondered what it means? Today you’re going to find out as we’re going to learn 10 English idioms connected with Wall.
I was doing an exercise with one of my students recently and asked her to research how many English idioms she could find that were in some way connected to parts of a building.
I was simply amazed at the number she located and very happy she understood the majority of those idioms very well indeed.
I thought that I would share some of them with you.
Walls feature a lot in these situations.
10 English Idioms connected with Wall
BACK TO THE WALL
when you can not solve a problem and you have no one to turn to for help you can say “my back is to the wall”
Example: My boss has told me this report must be finished by close of business on Friday. If not I can either work on the weekend or I can find another job. My back is really to the wall on this what choice do I have!
HAVE YOUR BACK AGAINST THE WALL
to be in a difficult position where you have to defend yourself
Example: I really had my back against the wall that summer and had nowhere to go.
UP THE WALLS
when you are going crazy and cannot think straight, or something or somebody is making you feel that way
Example: He is driving me up the walls, he won’t shut up!!
COME UP AGAINST A BRICK WALL
when you are trying to solve a problem and every time you think you have a solution it does not work
Example: I have come up against a brick wall. Nothing that I try to do works. What can I do?
Scroll down to find Chinese Walls meaning.
English Idioms connected with Wall - Infographic
Don't keep this to yourself. Tell the world!
HIT THE WALL
This expression is often used by athletes to describe the feeling when they get physically tired and feel they cannot continue.
Example: I was running fine until I passed the 35km mark then I seemed to hit the wall and my legs turned to jelly.
TALKING TO A BRICK WALL
talking to someone who either doesn’t listen or doesn’t comprehend what you are talking about
This reminds me of my school teachers.
Whenever students could not understand a simple explanation or found it difficult to understand the teacher she would say I might as well be talking to a brick wall! – meaning I have a better chance of explaining this to a wall than to this class!
Example: The bar staff that served us were so disinterested, I felt I was talking to a brick wall.
Talking to a Brick Wall Meaning
English Idioms connected with Wall - continued
CHINESE WALLS
A business expression used when two parts of the same business do not want the other part to know what they are doing.
In a large bank there are many different departments. In a typical situation neither of the departments (for example, credit or corporate finance) are aware that the other department is involved in.
Example: Chinese walls are an important part of investment banking best practices and compliance.
TO BE STONE WALLED
to be deliberately ignored by someone
Example: I asked him repeatedly for help he did not reply. He stone walled me.
WALL TO WALL
describing something that fills the entire area
Frequently used when describing the interior design of an apartment or house.
Example: The rooms were exquisitely decorated every room had wall to wall carpets and curtains.
This means the floors had fitted carpets throughout and curtains from the ceiling to the floor.
GO TO THE WALL
to be in a hopeless situation, to be ruined
Example: Many profitable businesses go to the wall during economic downturn simply because they run out of cash.
Scroll down for Common Collocations with Wall
English Collocations with Wall
COVER A WALL WITH (PICTURES, POSTERS, ETC)
The walls of my son’s bedroom are covered with posters.
HANG A (PAINTING/PICTURE) ON THE WALL
We hung some pictures of Paris on the living room walls.
PAINT A WALL
I’ve decided to paint the walls of my bedroom green.
A THICK/THIN WALL
I can hear my neighbours through the thin walls.
AN OUTSIDE WALL
The outside walls of my house are painted yellow.
TO DRILL A HOLE IN THE WALL
Before you start, you’ll need to drill holes in the wall.
SURROUNDED BY A WALL
The house is surrounded by a very high brick wall.
AGAINST THE WALL
I pushed the bookcase against the wall.
More Information
For more information on English phrasal verbs, English idioms and English grammar rules, check out the following links:
25 Common Collocations with Come
Plenty of material can be found on BBC Learning English and LearnEnglish British Council.
