up against a/the wall
idiom
informal
: in a very bad position or situation
The team was up against a wall in the first half of the game.
Examples of up against a/the wall in a Sentence
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But as a No. 4 seed in the WCC tournament, with their backs up against the wall, the Beavers — again — made an unlikely run to the tournament title, grabbing the WCC’s auto bid.
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Chantel Jennings, The Athletic, 17 Mar. 2025
For me, fortunately or unfortunately, making movies is usually an exercise in me banging my head up against a wall.
—Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2025
Put your foot up against the wall, with heel on the ground, and your toes facing upward.
—Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2025
Video taken by Hamas on October 7 and later released by the women’s families showed the female soldiers being lined up against a wall by men with rifles.
—Bianna Golodryga, CNN, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for up against a/the wall
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Chantel Jennings, The Athletic, 17 Mar. 2025
For me, fortunately or unfortunately, making movies is usually an exercise in me banging my head up against a wall.
—Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2025
Put your foot up against the wall, with heel on the ground, and your toes facing upward.
—Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2025
Video taken by Hamas on October 7 and later released by the women’s families showed the female soldiers being lined up against a wall by men with rifles.
—Bianna Golodryga, CNN, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for up against a/the wall
Cite this Entry
“Up against a/the wall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/up%20against%20a%2Fthe%20wall. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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