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
Other Ways to Bet on Thunder vs. Timberwolves The Timberwolves have their backs up against the wall.
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Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
Abreu leapt up against the wall and batted the ball back into play, landing right in Rafaela’s waiting hands.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 15 May 2025
Meanwhile, on the court, Dončić and the Lakers have their backs up against the wall after a 116-113 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 4 of their first round series has them down 3-1.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Stabler monologues a little bit, then shakes, zips up and bashes the guy up against the wall without washing his hands.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for up against a/the wall
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Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 May 2025
Abreu leapt up against the wall and batted the ball back into play, landing right in Rafaela’s waiting hands.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 15 May 2025
Meanwhile, on the court, Dončić and the Lakers have their backs up against the wall after a 116-113 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 4 of their first round series has them down 3-1.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Stabler monologues a little bit, then shakes, zips up and bashes the guy up against the wall without washing his hands.
—Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 17 Apr. 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 4 Jun. 2025.
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