Run your head against a brick wall Meaning in English

expression

US

RUN yore, yer HED uh-GAYNST, uh-GENST AY, uh BRICK WAL

UK

run YAW hed uh-GENST AY brick WAWRL

Definition

To keep trying to achieve something that is impossible or extremely difficult, usually resulting in frustration or no progress.

Usage & Nuances

This is an idiomatic, informal expression for wasted effort. Often used with 'feel like you’re running your head against a brick wall' or 'stop running your head against a brick wall.' It's about persistence in the face of obvious failure; don't use it for small or trivial efforts.

• Spanish: chocar la cabeza contra la pared - luchar inútilmente
• Portuguese (BR): dar murro em ponta de faca - insistir inutilmente
• Portuguese (PT): bater com a cabeça contra uma parede de tijolos - insistir inutilmente
• Chinese (Simplified): 徒劳无功 - 碰壁
• Chinese (Traditional): 徒勞無功 - 碰壁
• Hindi: दीवार में सिर मारना - व्यर्थ प्रयास करना
• Arabic: تضرب رأسك بالحائط - تحاول عبثاً
• Bengali: দেওয়ালে মাথা ঠোকা - বৃথা চেষ্টা
• Russian: биться головой о кирпичную стену - пытаться безрезультатно
• Japanese: 壁に頭をぶつける - 無駄な努力をする
• Vietnamese: đập đầu vào tường - cố gắng vô ích
• Korean: 벽에 머리를 찧다 - 헛수고하다
• Turkish: duvara kafa atmak - boşuna uğraşmak
• Urdu: دیوار میں سر مارنا - بیکار کوشش کرنا
• Indonesian: membenturkan kepala ke tembok - usaha sia-sia

Example Sentences

I feel like I run my head against a brick wall when I talk to him.

basic

Trying to fix this old car is like running my head against a brick wall.

basic

If you run your head against a brick wall, maybe it’s time to try a new way.

basic

Every time I argue with my brother, it’s like running my head against a brick wall—he never changes his mind.

natural

I've sent ten emails but got no reply—I'm just running my head against a brick wall at this point.

natural

Trying to get this system to work is just running your head against a brick wall—it’s broken beyond repair.

natural