Example
“Several independent shops went to the wall after their rents doubled.”
Dictionary details
Related idioms
Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.
back against the wall
Informal · CEFR B1
in a desperate situation with few options left
drive someone up the wall
Informal · CEFR B1
to make someone feel extremely annoyed or frustrated
the writing on the wall
Neutral · CEFR B1
clear and unmistakable signs that failure or disaster is coming
throw it at the wall and see what sticks
Informal · CEFR B2
to try many ideas quickly, keeping only the ones that work
go belly up
Informal · CEFR C1
to fail completely, especially of a business
break even
Neutral · CEFR B2
to reach the point where revenue equals costs — no profit, no loss
Source methodology
Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.