be like talking to a brick wall

To be completely ignored or disregarded by someone; to be as useless or ineffectual as talking to an inanimate object. Talking to you when the TV is on is like talking to a brick wall. Hello, can you hear me? Trying to give my grandfather advice is like talking to a brick wall—he's just so set in his ways! A: "Where are the kids? I told them to come up for dinner 10 minutes ago." B: "Yeah, if they're playing video games, it's like talking to a brick wall."

like talking to a brick wall

As effective as speaking to an inanimate object. Talking to you when the TV is on is like talking to a brick wall. Hello, can you hear me? Trying to give my grandfather advice always feels like talking to a brick wall—he's just so set in his ways!