be banging (one's) head against a brick wall

be banging (one's) head against a brick wall

To be attempting, continuously and fruitlessly, to accomplish some task or achieve some goal that is or seems ultimately hopeless. I feel like I've been banging my head against a brick wall trying to understand this math equation.
See also: bang, brick, head, wall
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

be banging your head against a brick wall

mainly BRITISH or

be banging your head against a wall

If you say that you are banging your head against a brick wall or banging your head against a wall, you mean that you feel frustrated because you are not making any progress in what you are trying to do. I'd spent nearly eighteen years in show business, working my guts out, and getting nowhere. I felt as though I was banging my head against a brick wall. Many sufferers feel they are banging their heads against a wall when it comes to finding treatment. Note: Other verbs are sometimes used instead of bang. Stop fighting this thing. You're just beating your head against a wall.
See also: bang, brick, head, wall
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

be banging, etc. your head against a brick ˈwall

(informal) try for a long time to achieve something, persuade somebody to do something, etc. without success: I realized they weren’t even listening to my protests. I was just banging my head against a brick wall.
See also: brick, head, wall
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • be banging your head against a brick wall
  • be banging, etc. your head against a brick wall
  • be hitting (one's) head against a (brick) wall
  • beat (one's) head against a stone wall
  • knock (one's) head against a (brick) wall
  • knock (one's) head against a/the wall
  • knock head against a brick wall
  • bang (one's) head against a brick wall
  • bang (one's) head against a wall
  • bang your head against a brick wall