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wall

wall

503 5.1
A situation that stops progress or makes it hard to continue
  • noun
  • /wɔl/
translation icon : barrera
  • We need to get you through the walls, so that you can open the door.
  • hit a wall
  • break down the walls
  • invisible walls

He's breaking down the walls now with this we have.

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Examples

  • Many employees feel that the lack of communication is a wall that prevents teamwork and collaboration.

  • It's like a wall between us.

  • If there is no wall, there is no deal.

  • It's like building a wall between you and your heart.

    GQ
  • When she tried to think, she came to a wall that stopped her mind.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • When you hit a brick wall, knock it down.

  • Even with all of this history, it's like there's an invisible wall around the college.

    Academic text (2017)
  • We've got our backs to the wall.

  • When the negotiations stalled, it felt like we had hit a wall that made further progress impossible.

  • The constant misunderstandings have created a wall between friends who used to be close.

Synonyms

obstacle
vswall
343 3.4

A thing or problem that makes it hard to reach a goal

is used more widely and also applies to communication problems
obstruction
vswall
222 4.8

Something that stops or slows progress and makes a task hard

is a general condition that can include communication issues
barrier
vswall
163 2.8

A thing that blocks movement or keeps places apart

is broader and names situations that hinder progress or communication
curtain
vswall
112 6.1

A layer that blocks sight or hides information

is used more broadly for any hindrance not only sight or talk
roadblock
vswall
50 3.9

A problem that stops progress or makes a goal hard to reach

is a broader term not limited to physical conditions
brick wall
vswall
  • Informal
24 4.1

A problem you cannot get past

is a less absolute hindrance not necessarily unbeatable
18 4.4

A problem that stops progress or makes moving forward difficult

is used for wider hindering situations beyond single problems
9 4.2

Difficulty communicating because people do not share a common language

is more general and applies beyond differences in speech
wall of silence
vswall
  • Literature
3 7.2

A group's choice to stay silent to protect members from blame

is a broader term for many hindrances not only group secrecy
Chinese Wall
vswall
  • Jargon
1 8.9

A rule to keep people in different teams from sharing secret information to avoid conflicts of interest

is a general blocking idea not limited to formal internal rules
1 3.9

Something that stops a project or work from moving forward

is more general and also applies to communication difficulties
8.1

An obstacle to talking and working together because people have different beliefs or values

is a general hindrance that can be practical rather than belief based

Antonyms

2.6

The right to enter and use something like a building or online service

facilitation
  • Formal
4 5.1

An action that makes a task easier so it runs more smoothly

Idioms

14 5.5

A clear sign that something bad will happen

A person who watches a situation without being noticed

balls to the wall
  • Offensive
2 9.4

Do something with as much speed and effort as possible, without holding back

back to the wall
  • Informal
2 7.6

In a situation with very few choices where you must try hard to survive or win

2 8.1

To speak to someone who does not respond or listen

1 7.0

To try to speak to someone who will not listen or answer

To try many times to do something without success and feel frustrated

6.6

To stand up for someone when they are in trouble

To spend money carelessly and waste it

To decide to start something difficult and not change your mind

Try many different ideas to see which one works

To try many different ideas to find one that works

Try many different ideas to find one that works

Compounds

Wall Street
  • Literature
546 2.7

The US financial industry, especially banks and investment firms in New York

78 3.4

A street in lower Manhattan where the New York Stock Exchange is

brick wall
  • Informal
24 4.1

A problem you cannot get past

20 2.7

A low fence made by stacking rough stones to mark boundaries or keep animals out

16 3.5

A very long ancient wall across northern China built to stop invaders

14 4.2

Completely full of people or things with no space to move

A very long old wall in northern China built to stop attacks

off-the-wall
  • Informal
7 8.0

Strange and often funny in a surprising way

5 3.6

A high wall around a prison that keeps people inside

cell wall
  • Specialized
5 3.6

A hard layer around the cells of plants, fungi, and some bacteria that gives support and protection

retaining wall
  • Specialized
5 4.4

A wall built to hold back soil or water on one side

A small hidden restaurant or cafe that looks simple but serves very good food

4 6.7

A remaining wall of the ancient Jewish temple in Jerusalem where people pray

4 1.0

A clock that hangs on a wall to show the time

A floor covering that reaches all walls and covers the whole room

wall of silence
  • Literature
3 7.2

A group's choice to stay silent to protect members from blame

3 2.9

A place in a wall where you plug in an electrical device to get power

A picture made directly on a wall as decoration

bearing wall
  • Specialized
2 5.1

A wall that holds up the floor or roof above it

abdominal wall
  • Specialized
2 4.1

The muscles and tissue at the front and sides of the belly that protect internal organs

2 9.5

An unwritten rule among police officers not to report a colleague's illegal actions to protect them from punishment

Wailing Wall
  • Archaic
2 6.7

A holy stone wall in Jerusalem where Jewish people pray and put written prayers

2 3.2

A decorative piece like a tapestry placed on a wall

2 2.7

A flat rectangular piece fixed to a wall to cover or decorate it

Great Wall
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A huge group of galaxies that looks like a long wall in space

blue wall
  • Jargon
1 9.0

A secret rule among police not to report a colleague's wrongdoing

load-bearing wall
  • Specialized
1 3.6

A wall that supports the floors and roof above it

1 7.5

A line of soldiers holding shields close together to form a strong defence

blue wall
  • Literature
1 5.6

A group of states or voters that often support the same political party

Chinese Wall
  • Jargon
1 8.9

A rule to keep people in different teams from sharing secret information to avoid conflicts of interest

A long stone wall built by the Romans in northern England to mark their northern border

1 3.2

A large picture painted or printed directly on a wall to decorate it

1 2.4

An electrical socket in a wall where you connect a device to get power

1 2.8

A large piece of furniture put against a wall to store or show things

1 3.4

A very long stone wall built across northern China to keep out attackers

A wall made of stones fitted together without mortar

cavity wall
  • Specialized
4.6

A wall with two layers and a space between them to keep heat in and water out

dry wall
  • Specialized
5.6

A low stone wall made by fitting stones together without cement

A fern that grows on rocks or walls in shady places in North America and East Asia

A Roman wall across central Scotland that marks the northern border of Roman Britain

The triangular top part of a wall under a sloping roof

hanging wall
  • Specialized
9.5

The block of rock above a sloping break in the ground

proscenium wall
  • Specialized
9.4

A part of a theatre that separates the stage from the audience and holds the stage opening

ring wall
  • Specialized
6.9

A circular strong wall built under a heavy structure to support its weight

ring wall
  • Specialized
7.5

A circular wall around a village or town that protects people from attack

4.6

A low circular wall that keeps soil in place around plants

party wall
  • Specialized
4.6

A wall between two houses that both owners share

A small plant with narrow leaves and tiny pink flowers that grows in cracks in walls

A plant that lives for two years or less and has groups of bright orange-yellow flowers at stem ends

9.9

A small red and grey bird that lives on walls and cliffs

wall fern
  • Specialized
7.6

A low fern that grows on rocks or walls in shaded moist places

wall germander
  • Specialized
9.9

A low bush with bright pink or purple flowers grown in gardens

9.9

A small wild grass that grows like a weed along roads and walls, with bristly seed heads

A strong piece fixed to a wall that sticks out and holds a shelf

wall panel
  • Specialized
3.4

An electronic device fixed to a wall that controls lights, heating, or security

wall pellitory
  • Specialized
9.9

A small plant with long leaves and tiny pink flowers that grows in cracks on old walls and rocks

9.9

A small plant that grows along the ground or walls with thick leaves and bright yellow flowers

A long horizontal piece of wood on top of a wall supporting beams

9.9

A small fern with delicate leaves that grows on old walls and rocks

9.9

A plant with yellow flowers that grows on old walls and in empty places

8.2

Solid ground next to a line of minerals or a crack underground

A small delicate fern that grows on walls and cliffs

4.5

A large camping shelter with four straight cloth walls that gives more room inside than a normal tent

A person who puts wallpaper on walls to decorate rooms

How Obstructive

to blockade
1 6.1
barrier
163 2.8
wall
503 5.1
obstacle
343 3.4
hurdle
88 3.8

Surface Forms

wall singular
walls plural

Etymology

Wall comes from the old English weall and Latin vallum, words for a strong 'rampart' or barrier. So when we say someone has hit a wall, we mean they have met a hard obstacle that stops progress.