wall
A tall, solid structure that separates or surrounds an area or building.
A continuous upright structure of stone, brick, or other material that encloses or divides an area of land or a building.
Something that stops people from understanding each other or making progress.
A situation or feeling that prevents progress, understanding, or communication between people or groups.
To put walls around something to close it in or block it off.
To build or use a wall to enclose, separate, or block off an area or object.
- Base: wall
- Plural: walls
- Base: wall
- 3rd Person Singular: walls
- Present Participle: walling
- Past: walled
a fly on the wall
1Unnoticed observer of events
Someone who watches or listens to something without being noticed.
- I wish I could be a fly on the wall during their meeting.
- Reporters want to be flies on the wall in such negotiations.
drive someone up the wall
1Greatly annoy someone
To make someone very annoyed or angry.
- His constant humming is driving me up the wall.
- The noise from the street is driving her up the wall.
go to the wall
1Suffer defeat or ruin
To fail completely, especially in business or competition.
- Many small shops went to the wall during the recession.
- The company went to the wall after losing its biggest client.
hit a wall
1Suddenly stop progressing
To be unable to continue because something has become too difficult.
- Halfway through the project, we hit a wall and couldn't find a solution.
- After running for two hours, she hit a wall and had to slow down.
wall of silence
1Refusal to communicate about something
When no one will talk about something important.
- The investigation met with a wall of silence from officials.
- Her questions were answered with a wall of silence.