hit the wall

hit the wall

1. To become completely exhausted, fatigued, or worn out. I hit the wall after only the first mile of the race. I could barely even walk for the rest of it! Can we go back to our hotel room for a bit? After walking around the city all day, I've definitely hit the wall. Let's just go home, the kids have clearly hit the wall now.

2. To suddenly end or cease making advancements. Our plans for the event hit the wall when our chief investor suddenly backed out. I wanted to continue researching, but that hit the wall when the board stopped funding my project. OK, so we're not sending the mailing now? When did that hit the wall?

See also: hit, wall

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

hit the wall

INFORMAL

If someone or something hits the wall they reach a point where no more progress can be made. Asked if her career had hit the wall she said: `I don't know. We'll have to see.' To ensure their businesses do not hit the wall, operators must make sure their financial management is strong.

See also: hit, wall

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

hit the wall

1. To become suddenly and extremely fatigued, especially when participating in an endurance sport, such as running.

2. To lose effectiveness suddenly or come to an end: The stock rally hit the wall when interest rates rose.

See also: hit, wall

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.