# hit the wall

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/hit-the-wall
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To experience sudden fatigue as a result of glycogen depletion, e.g. when cycling.

## Examples

- I hit the wall during my long run today.
- After cycling for three hours without eating, I suddenly hit the wall and could not pedal anymore.
- The marathon runner had maintained a steady pace for miles, but she hit the wall at the thirty-kilometer mark and struggled to finish the race.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.