hit a brick wall
Reach dead end
To hit a brick wall is to encounter an obstacle that completely stops progress.
The image is of forward momentum suddenly halted by something immovable: We were making good progress on the investigation until we hit a brick wall.
Often describes moments when effort, inquiry, or negotiation reaches an impasse with no apparent way forward.
Intense weary annoyance
- disappointmentSadness from unmet expectations
- dismayDistressed loss of courage
- discouragementLoss of confidence
- defeatVictory over another
deflation · letdown · disillusionment · futility · hopelessness · despair · vexation · stuck
Obstruction across a road
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- dead-endPassage without exit
- impasseSituation without resolution
- blockadeSealing off a place
obstruction · hindrance · bottleneck · snag · stumbling block · hurdle · impediment · setback
Flat highland area
- standstillTotal cessation of movement
- haltComplete sudden stop
- stasisState of inactivity
- inertiaResistance to altered motion
doldrums · rut · impasse · deadlock · stalemate · limbo · holding pattern · treading water
Sudden important advance
- overcomePrevail against difficulty
- pivotPoint of rotation
- workaroundMakeshift bypass of difficulty
- alternativeAnother available choice
detour · regroup · reassess · adapt · problem-solve · persistence · determination · resilience
Room's upper surface
- capCovering for top
- thresholdPoint of beginning
- boundaryLine marking a limit
- constraintLimiting condition or rule
restriction · maximum · breaking point · saturation · peak · upper bound · glass ceiling · endpoint
exasperation
Intense weary annoyance
- disappointmentSadness from unmet expectations
- dismayDistressed loss of courage
- discouragementLoss of confidence
defeat · deflation · letdown · disillusionment · futility · hopelessness · despair · vexation · stuck · thwarted
roadblock
Obstruction across a road
- barrierObstruction preventing passage
- dead-endPassage without exit
- impasseSituation without resolution
blockade · obstruction · hindrance · bottleneck · snag · stumbling block · hurdle · impediment · setback · cul-de-sac
plateau
Flat highland area
- standstillTotal cessation of movement
- haltComplete sudden stop
- stasisState of inactivity
inertia · doldrums · rut · impasse · deadlock · stalemate · limbo · holding pattern · treading water · going nowhere
breakthrough
Sudden important advance
- overcomePrevail against difficulty
- pivotPoint of rotation
- workaroundMakeshift bypass of difficulty
alternative · detour · regroup · reassess · adapt · problem-solve · persistence · determination · resilience · second wind
ceiling
Room's upper surface
constraint · restriction · maximum · breaking point · saturation · peak · upper bound · glass ceiling · endpoint · cutoff
hit a brick wallbreakthrough
Sudden important advance
break through · gain momentum · make headway · forge ahead · push through
hit a brick wallsmooth sailing
Untroubled progress forward
clear path · open road · green light · clear the way · path of least resistance
hit a brick wallfind a way
Solve despite difficulties
crack the code · figure it out · work it out · see the light · unlock
hitting, hitter, brick, bricks, bricked, bricking, brickwork, bricklayer, wall