IdiomBody & SensesEnglish

hit the wall

Meaning: To suddenly run out of energy.

Example: “I hit the wall halfway through the afternoon.”

Origin: Marathon runners' slang from the 1970s for the point when the body's energy stores run out.

Equivalents in other languages

More English idioms

Explore another collection: Tongue Twisters

Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.

Browse all tongue twisters →

Keep exploring

Explore all idioms →