wall
/wɔ:l/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A continuous vertical solid structure: A wall is a structure that defines an area, carries a load, or provides shelter or security. It is typically made of brick or stone.
- Anything resembling a wall in function: This can be a barrier, obstacle, or partition that blocks or separates.
- A difficult or desperate situation: Used figuratively to describe a position of being trapped or having no options.
- (Anatomy) A lining or membrane: The outer layer or lining of a bodily organ or cavity.
Verb:
- To enclose or divide with a wall: To build a wall around something or to separate areas using a wall.
Usage and Examples
Noun:
- The garden was surrounded by a high brick wall. (A physical barrier)
- The negotiators hit a wall when discussing the key issue. (A figurative obstacle)
- He felt his back was against the wall with all the deadlines. (A difficult situation)
- The abdominal wall protects the internal organs. (An anatomical structure)
Verb:
- They decided to wall off the old section of the basement.
- The ancient city was walled for protection against invaders.
Advanced Usage
"To be up against a wall": To be in a very difficult situation with limited options.
- With the funding canceled, the research team was up against a wall.
"A wall of silence": A situation where people refuse to communicate or give information.
- The investigation met a wall of silence from the witnesses.
"To drive/push someone to the wall": To force someone into a desperate or difficult position.
- The aggressive competition pushed the smaller company to the wall.
Variants and Related Words
- Wall-like (adj): Resembling a wall in appearance or function.
- Wall-less (adj): Lacking walls.
- Walling (n): The material or action of constructing walls.
Synonyms
- Noun: Barrier, partition, fence, rampart, bulwark, obstacle, impediment.
- Verb: Enclose, fortify, partition, fence.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Wall in: To enclose completely with walls.
- The courtyard was walled in to create a private space.
Wall off: To separate one area from another with a wall.
- They walled off the kitchen from the dining area.
Wall up: To seal an opening by building a wall across it.
- The old doorway had been walled up decades ago.
Related Idioms
Walls have ears: Be careful what you say because someone may be listening.
- Don't discuss the plans here—remember, walls have ears.
To go to the wall: To fail, especially in business; to be defeated.
- Several local shops went to the wall during the recession.
To bang/run your head against a brick wall: To try repeatedly to achieve something with no success.
- I've been trying to get approval, but I'm just banging my head against a brick wall.
Noun
- an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes
- they stormed the ramparts of the city
- they blew the trumpet and the walls came tumbling down
- a masonry fence (as around an estate or garden)
- the wall followed the road
- he ducked behind the garden wall and waited
- a layer of material that encloses space
- the walls of the cylinder were perforated
- the container's walls were blue
- a vertical (or almost vertical) smooth rock face (as of a cave or mountain)
- a difficult or awkward situation
- his back was to the wall
- competition was pushing them to the wall
- (anatomy) a layer (a lining or membrane) that encloses a structure
- stomach walls
- anything that suggests a wall in structure or function or effect
- a wall of water
- a wall of smoke
- a wall of prejudice
- negotiations ran into a brick wall
- an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
- the south wall had a small window
- the walls were covered with pictures
Verb
- surround with a wall in order to fortify