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Run into a Brick Wall

What Does "Run into a Brick Wall" Mean?

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"Run into a brick wall" is an English idiom. It means "to encounter a significant obstacle, barrier, or challenge that hinders progress or prevents one from achieving their goals."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "run into a brick wall" used in a sentence:
  • Despite their initial enthusiasm, the project ran into a brick wall when funding was unexpectedly cut.
  • The team's efforts to negotiate a compromise with the opposing party ran into a brick wall, as both sides remained unwilling to budge.
  • Trying to implement new policies within the organization felt like running into a brick wall, as resistance from employees was substantial.
meaning for run into a brick wall

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Run into a Brick Wall" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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