proverbial wall

USAGE SUMMARY

"proverbial wall" is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
As an example, you could write "He hit a proverbial wall trying to solve the problem." This phrase is used to describe a situation in which someone has come up against an obstacle or issue that seems insurmountable.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Star catchers like Posada usually hit the proverbial wall long before his current age.

The New York Times

While other rookies may be hitting the proverbial wall, he said he feels as though his season has barely begun.

The New York Times - Sports

It was the spirit of the group that kept me going as I hit the proverbial "wall" at 23 miles.

The New York Times

Jacobs was a pulverizing freight train, the embodiment of everything that makes football so entertaining — bone-crunching runs, a willingness to run through the proverbial wall.

The New York Times - Sports

The Nets' backs may be against the proverbial wall, but that wall stands 7-feet-1-inch and weighs 350 pounds.

The New York Times - Sports

The Giants have said over and over recently how they seem to respond well when their backs are against the proverbial wall, and Manning, more than most, appears to personify that sentiment.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

LeEco threw a heck of a lot at the proverbial walls today during its big event in San Francisco designed to introduce the so-called "Netflix of China" to the US.

TechCrunch

Julia Quinn's best-selling Bridgerton series of novels will jump off the page and onto our screens, because we all need to be flies on the proverbial walls of "the wealthy, sexual, painful, funny and sometimes lonely lives in London's high society marriage mart".

TechCrunch

With most eyes on the immigration debate and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's grandiose claims about building a "beautiful wall" on the U.S.-Mexico border, it's easy to forget that proverbial walls are coming down when it comes to energy, and in particular, the flow of oil and gas across the border. .

Huffington Post

Inevitably, it hit the proverbial brick wall, in this case the Great Wall of China.

The Guardian

They can only hope that Landry Fields, their rookie shooting guard, has simply hit a lull and not the proverbial rookie wall.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "proverbial wall" to describe a situation where progress is significantly hindered by a common or expected obstacle, rather than a literal barrier. For example, "Many startups hit the proverbial wall when trying to scale their operations."

Common error

Avoid using "proverbial wall" to describe a physical barrier. It's meant to represent an abstract or metaphorical obstacle, not a literal one. For example, saying "The construction crew ran into a proverbial wall when they discovered an underground pipe" is incorrect; it should be "literal wall" or "unexpected obstacle."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proverbial wall" functions as a noun phrase. It typically serves as an object in a sentence, often following verbs like "hit", "face", or "encounter", indicating an abstract or metaphorical obstacle. According to Ludwig, this is a valid phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "proverbial wall" is a noun phrase used to describe a common or expected obstacle that hinders progress. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for written English. It is used in contexts like News & Media and Sports. While not overly formal, it's best to use in situations where you want to emphasize a known or frequently encountered challenge. Consider alternatives like "figurative barrier" for similar meanings. Avoid using it to describe literal walls, as it implies a metaphorical obstacle.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

figurative barrier

Emphasizes the non-physical nature of the obstacle.

common stumbling block

Highlights that the difficulty is frequently encountered.

customary obstacle

Focuses on the expected nature of the challenge.

typical impediment

Stresses the standard or usual nature of the hindrance.

predictable hurdle

Highlights the foreseeable nature of the problem.

classic challenge

Implies a well-known and often-faced difficulty.

customary difficulty

Indicates a usual or expected problem.

expected limitation

Focuses on the anticipated restriction.

standard setback

Emphasizes that the problem is a normal part of progress.

commonplace challenge

Stresses that the challenge is widely experienced.

FAQs

How can I use "proverbial wall" in a sentence?

You can use "proverbial wall" to describe a point where progress stops or becomes very difficult, such as "The negotiation hit a "proverbial wall" when neither side would compromise."

What does it mean to "hit the proverbial wall"?

Hitting the "proverbial wall" means encountering a major obstacle that severely impedes progress or makes further advancement extremely difficult. It implies a common or expected challenge.

What's a good alternative to "proverbial wall"?

Alternatives include "figurative barrier", "common stumbling block", or "typical impediment", depending on the specific context you want to emphasize.

Is "proverbial wall" appropriate for formal writing?

While "proverbial wall" is understandable in formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "significant obstacle" or "major impediment" for a more professional tone.