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
Here’s how to do it, per Dr. Hewett Brumberg:
Back up against a wall.
Make a fist with one hand and place the thumb side against your abdomen just above your navel.
—
Julia Sullivan, SELF, 9 July 2024
My back’s up against the wall, so my legs don’t get taken out.
—Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 26 June 2024
Her back is up against the wall, and losing or not having a little bit of support in a season is very upsetting.
—EW.com, 12 June 2024
Vallejo then allegedly pushed him up against the wall and pressed his right forearm into his neck.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 9 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for up against a/the wall 
Julia Sullivan, SELF, 9 July 2024
My back’s up against the wall, so my legs don’t get taken out.
—Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 26 June 2024
Her back is up against the wall, and losing or not having a little bit of support in a season is very upsetting.
—EW.com, 12 June 2024
Vallejo then allegedly pushed him up against the wall and pressed his right forearm into his neck.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 9 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for up against a/the wall
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'up against a/the wall.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 Jul. 2024.
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