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
The four legs are made from oversized spindles, and the half moon shape tucks right up against a wall without leaving gaps or awkward spaces.
—
Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2025
But as a No. 4 seed in the WCC tournament, with their backs up against the wall, the Beavers — again — made an unlikely run to the tournament title, grabbing the WCC’s auto bid.
—Chantel Jennings, The Athletic, 17 Mar. 2025
For me, fortunately or unfortunately, making movies is usually an exercise in me banging my head up against a wall.
—Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2025
Put your foot up against the wall, with heel on the ground, and your toes facing upward.
—Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for up against a/the wall
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Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2025
But as a No. 4 seed in the WCC tournament, with their backs up against the wall, the Beavers — again — made an unlikely run to the tournament title, grabbing the WCC’s auto bid.
—Chantel Jennings, The Athletic, 17 Mar. 2025
For me, fortunately or unfortunately, making movies is usually an exercise in me banging my head up against a wall.
—Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2025
Put your foot up against the wall, with heel on the ground, and your toes facing upward.
—Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 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 2 May. 2025.
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