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
Just last month, Outman made a catch up against the wall, potentially robbing former Twin Carlos Correa of a game-tying home run.
—
Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 6 Aug. 2025
Officers, including those in tactical gear, served a warrant around noon at the Fresh Kut Barber Salon at 5914 NE Second Ave.
Miami Herald reporters and a photographer saw at least seven people being detained with cable tie handcuffs and lined up against a wall in a nearby parking lot.
—Clara-Sophia Daly, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2025
Make Use of Your Favorite Serving Tray Garden displays a gorgeous silver platter in the very back of one of her cabinet shelves, leaning up against the wall.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Aug. 2025
But as France discovered, Germany can be a menace even when their backs are up against the wall.
—Oli Gamp, New York Times, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for up against a/the wall
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Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 6 Aug. 2025
Officers, including those in tactical gear, served a warrant around noon at the Fresh Kut Barber Salon at 5914 NE Second Ave.
Miami Herald reporters and a photographer saw at least seven people being detained with cable tie handcuffs and lined up against a wall in a nearby parking lot.
—Clara-Sophia Daly, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2025
Make Use of Your Favorite Serving Tray Garden displays a gorgeous silver platter in the very back of one of her cabinet shelves, leaning up against the wall.
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Aug. 2025
But as France discovered, Germany can be a menace even when their backs are up against the wall.
—Oli Gamp, New York Times, 23 July 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 28 Aug. 2025.
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