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
Recent Examples on the Web
The same goes for furniture like a couch or TV console backed up against the wall.
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Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Dec. 2024
Going back to the moment of the fan throwing the first ball on the field, a security guard was sitting right next him up against the wall, though nothing came of that toss onto the field.
—Scott Thompson, Fox News, 7 Oct. 2024
They’re meant to be set up against a wall, so only one side of the tree is full enough to be on display.
—Genevieve Cepeda, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024
In a way, that means smaller bathrooms may mean smaller ticket prices, but that’s cold comfort when you’re wedged up against the wall trying to do your business.
—Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 13 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for up against a/the wall 
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Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Dec. 2024
Going back to the moment of the fan throwing the first ball on the field, a security guard was sitting right next him up against the wall, though nothing came of that toss onto the field.
—Scott Thompson, Fox News, 7 Oct. 2024
They’re meant to be set up against a wall, so only one side of the tree is full enough to be on display.
—Genevieve Cepeda, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024
In a way, that means smaller bathrooms may mean smaller ticket prices, but that’s cold comfort when you’re wedged up against the wall trying to do your business.
—Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 13 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for up against a/the wall
Dictionary Entries Near 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 26 Dec. 2024.
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