up against it/the wall
up the wall
In a state of intense frustration, vexation, distress, or anxiety. I've been up the wall trying to get this problem with my tax bill resolved. That car alarm next door is driving me up the wall!
See also: up, wall
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
up the wall
Fig. in a very bad situation; very upset or anxious. He's really up the wall about Mary's illness. We were all up the wall until the matter was resolved.
See also: up, wall
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
up the wall
see under drive someone crazy.
See also: up, wall
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
up the wall
mod. in a very bad situation. We were all up the wall until the matter was resolved.
See also: up, wall
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
up the wall
Slang Into a state of extreme frustration, anger, or distress: tensions that are driving me up the wall.
See also: up, wall
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
up against it/the wall
In trouble. This slangy Americanism of the late nineteenth century uses “it” in a general way to mean any kind of difficulty. When “the wall” is substituted, it may refer to the practice of lining criminals up against a wall, or, more likely, of having one’s back to the wall. “I saw I was up against it,” wrote George Ade (Artie, 1896).
See also: up, wall
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- up the wall
- sweat bullets
- Rats!
- shell-shocked
- I don’t believe this!
- I don't believe it
- I don't believe it!
- I don't believe this
- I don't believe this!
- at (one's) wits' end