go to the wall

/ɡˌəʊ tə ðə wˈɔːl/

/ɡˌoʊ tə ðə wˈɔːl/

[phrase]

to go to the wall

[PHRASE]

to suffer ruin, failure, or defeat, due to financial difficulties, and without the possibility of recovery or rescue

to [go] to the wall definition and meaning

What is the origin of the idiom "go to the wall" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "go to the wall" is not entirely clear, but it has been in use since the 17th century. This idiom is used to describe someone or something that is facing imminent failure, ruin, or destruction, often due to challenging circumstances or overwhelming opposition.

to do everything that one is capable of in order to do or achieve something

Examples

1. These guys will go to the wall for you.

2. He went to the wall to defend his beliefs.

3. The small startup struggled to secure funding and went to the wall before it had a chance to realize its potential.

4. After a series of bad investments, the company went to the wall, leaving its employees jobless and creditors unpaid.

Nearby words

go to the polls

go to the ends of the earth