# run into a brick wall

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/run-into-a-brick-wall
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

to encounter an insurmountable barrier or obstacle to progress

## Examples

- I ran into a brick wall trying to fix my computer.
- We had a great plan for the project, but we ran into a brick wall when the budget was cut.
- The researchers hoped for a breakthrough, but they ran into a brick wall when the data failed to support their hypothesis.

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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.