hit the wall

phrase

1

: to reach the point of physical exhaustion during strenuous activity

2

: to reach a limiting point or situation at which progress or success ceases

Examples of hit the wall in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Among racers finishing faster than three hours, men were six times as likely as women to hit the wall. — Gretchen Reynolds, Washington Post, 30 Oct. 2026

In the midst of the carnage, Herbst seemed to have hit the wall and lost his ability to hit the brakes. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Larson lost control on the final stretch, hit the wall and collided with Tyler Reddick, who slid into the infield but still recovered to finish third. — Frankie Frisco, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2026

Once the doors closed on his bag, Boahene then tries to free his belongings as he is dragged with the departing train, eventually hitting the wall and rolling onto the tracks. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 29 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1977, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for hit the wall

• aerosol
• alcohol
• arbitral
• basketball
• butanol
• cannonball
• carbinol
• cortisol
• ethanol
• fireball
• gasohol
• gossypol