struck a wall

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "struck a wall" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone encounters an obstacle or difficulty that prevents further progress. Example: "After weeks of research, I struck a wall when I couldn't find any more relevant sources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

It struck a wall and rolled back into the street.

The Guardian

After finding the couple in the guesthouse of his home, the man fired a warning shot at Chapman, and the round struck a wall and injured Chapman's hand.

The New York Times

The bullet that was fired during the struggle struck a wall about 10 feet from Judge Ronald A. Zweibel of Manhattan Supreme Court, who was hearing the case.

The New York Times

Valverde, the last man to set off before Froome, could only manage a time of 38 minutes 41 seconds despite pushing so hard he nearly struck a wall on the road along the Normandy coast.

Independent

"Those responsible for this incident have achieved nothing and this campaign of violence will achieve nothing". In May, a mortar bomb fired at the same police station struck a wall but failed to explode.

The Guardian

When MLB's Statcast or ESPN's Home Run Tracker posts a distance, that length does not indicate the real-life landing point of the baseball — which might have struck a wall, a fan or a concourse.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Stoudemire worked out with padding and medical tape covering his left hand, which was badly cut when – in a moment of  frustration after Game 2 — he struck a wall-mounted fire-extinguisher box, shattering a glass pane.

The New York Times

If runaway electron beams are created in a fusion device, they can eventually strike a wall and cause serious — potentially catastrophic — damage to the vessel.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"I'm exhilarated to be here," Mr. Bertolozzi said, just before striking a wall with a sheepskin-padded log hanging from a leather strap.

The New York Times - Arts

It is invariably required that the dice be thrown over a string or wire stretched a few inches above the surface of the table or that they strike a wall of the table and bounce back.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She said she never saw Detective Isnora approach Mr. Bell's car with a gun, and never saw Mr. Bell back up after hitting the minivan, strike a wall and charge forward, hitting the van again.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "struck a wall" when describing a sudden and forceful impact with a physical barrier or an abrupt halt in progress due to an obstacle.

Common error

Avoid using "struck a wall" when describing gradual or subtle hindrances; it's more appropriate for sudden, impactful stops. Use "encountered an obstacle" or "faced a challenge" instead in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "struck a wall" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action of forceful impact or collision. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct. Examples from Ludwig showcase its use in both literal and metaphorical contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "struck a wall" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that can describe both physical impacts and metaphorical barriers. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is versatile, appearing most frequently in news and media contexts. When choosing to use this phrase, consider the force and suddenness of the impact you wish to convey, as it is most effective when describing abrupt halts or collisions. For more gradual or subtle hindrances, alternatives like "encountered an obstacle" or "faced a challenge" may be more fitting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hit a barrier

Emphasizes the obstacle more than the impact.

encountered an obstacle

Focuses on the impediment encountered.

smashed into a wall

Highlights the force and violence of the impact.

collided with a wall

A more formal way to describe an impact.

ran into a wall

Implies a lack of awareness or control.

impacted a wall

A more technical or scientific term for collision.

met a brick wall

An idiomatic expression for encountering a significant obstacle.

bumped against a wall

Suggests a light or glancing impact.

crashed into a wall

Implies a severe and destructive impact.

was stopped by a wall

Highlights the wall's role in halting progress.

FAQs

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

You can use "struck a wall" to describe a physical impact, such as "The car "struck a wall" during the chase", or to describe hitting an obstacle in progress, such as "The project "struck a wall" due to lack of funding".

What can I say instead of "struck a wall"?

You can use alternatives like "hit a barrier", "encountered an obstacle", or "smashed into a wall" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "struck a wall" to describe an emotional state?

While "struck a wall" is primarily used for physical impacts or obstacles, it can be metaphorically extended to describe a sudden emotional or mental block. However, using phrases like "hit a mental block" or "faced a challenge" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "struck a wall" and "hit a wall"?

Both phrases are very similar, but "struck a wall" often implies a more forceful or impactful collision than "hit a wall", which can sometimes suggest a lighter impact or a more gradual stopping.