up against a brick wall

up against a brick wall

Stymied by difficulties or obstacles that seem unlikely to change. There are so few properties available in our town right now that prospective buyers are basically up against a brick wall. I'm trying to get funding for my project, but so far I'm up against a brick wall and have made only $20.
See also: brick, up, wall
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • be/come up against a brick wall
  • come up against a brick wall
  • cards are stacked against
  • odds are against one
  • the cards are stacked against (someone or something)
  • the cards/odds are stacked against somebody/something
  • the odds are against (someone or something)
  • the odds are stacked against (someone or something)
  • have the cards stacked against
  • have the cards stacked up against (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
If it is a maximum of five (foreign) players and the rest have to be English, whatever we can do with the rules, but it always seems they come up against a brick wall.
Hoddle demands action on foreign stars
Furniture is positioned accommodatingly, creating diagonals that draw us into each scene, while windows carry us outside to a groomed yard in Jill and Polly in Bathroom, or up against a brick wall in Manhattan in The Son, both 1987.
TINA BARNEY