if these walls could talk
Used to denote a location with an interesting or controversial history.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“If these walls could talk, they would tell many secrets.”
“This old house has seen so many families come and go; if these walls could talk, they would have incredible stories to share.”
“Standing in the abandoned theater, I imagined the legendary performances of the past and wondered what secrets might be revealed if these walls could talk.”
- 01
all talk and no cider
All talk and no results.
- 02
back to the wall
A very difficult situation with no beneficial options available for action.
- 03
balls to the wall
With maximum effort or commitment.
- 04
bang one's head against a brick wall
To waste effort on a futile project.
- 05
big talk
Statements which are boastful or exaggerated.
- 06
blue wall of silence
Strict secretiveness maintained by the members of a police force with respect to information which might be contrary to their interests, especially information concerning questionable police actions.
- 07
bounce off the walls
To be overly active relative to the enclosed space in which one is.
- 08
break the fourth wall
To apparently communicate with reality directly, such as when characters of literature comment on the existence of a reader.
Last updated August 10, 2026