up the wall
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up the wall
In a state of intense frustration, vexation, distress, or anxiety. I've been up the wall trying to get this problem with my tax bill resolved. That car alarm next door is driving me up the wall!
up the wall
Fig. in a very bad situation; very upset or anxious. He's really up the wall about Mary's illness. We were all up the wall until the matter was resolved.
up the wall
see under drive someone crazy.
up the wall
mod. in a very bad situation. We were all up the wall until the matter was resolved.
up the wall
Slang Into a state of extreme frustration, anger, or distress: tensions that are driving me up the wall.
up against it/the wall
In trouble. This slangy Americanism of the late nineteenth century uses “it” in a general way to mean any kind of difficulty. When “the wall” is substituted, it may refer to the practice of lining criminals up against a wall, or, more likely, of having one’s back to the wall. “I saw I was up against it,” wrote George Ade (Artie, 1896).