running into a brick wall
Hitting immovable resistance
Running into a brick wall describes encountering an obstacle that completely stops progress.
The image is of forward momentum meeting an immovable barrier—you can't go through, over, or around.
Used for frustrating dead ends in negotiations, investigations, or any sustained effort: I've been running into a brick wall trying to get answers from the insurance company.
Also hitting a brick wall.
- stonewallingDeliberately refusing to respond
- hitting a wallReaching an insurmountable obstacle
- impasseSituation without resolution
- workaroundMakeshift bypass of difficulty
- frustrationDispleasure from blocked efforts
glass ceiling · lateral thinking · hurdle · uphill battle · despair · obstruction · persistence · defeat · deadlock · spinning your wheels · stuck in a rut · going nowhere fast · resilience · hopelessness · roadblock · adaptation · blockade · irritation
running into a brick wallsmooth sailing
Untroubled progress forward
clear sailing · clear path · open road · breakthrough · plain sailing
running into a brick wallbreakthrough
Sudden important advance
breaking through · success · making progress · getting results · turning the corner
running into a brick wallopen arms
Welcoming body language
warm reception · open door · rolling out the red carpet · welcome · getting through
running, runner, runners, bricks, bricked, bricking, brickwork, bricklayer