be up against a brick wall

be/come up against a brick wall

to not be able to continue an activity or do something you want to do I've tried everywhere I can think of for funding but I've come up against a brick wall. My brother wants to leave home but he can't find a job. He's up against a brick wall.

See shit a brick, be built like a brick shithouse, be like talking to a brick wall, hit a wall

See also: against, brick, up, wall