IdiomDaily Life
English
Englishlike talking to a brick wall
Meaning: Speaking to someone who does not listen or respond.
Example: “Asking my teenager to tidy up is like talking to a brick wall.”
Origin: A wall hears nothing and answers nothing. Versions with "wall" and "brick wall" are common from the 19th century.
Equivalents in other languages
Japanese: 馬の耳に念仏 (Uma no mimi ni nenbutsu) Literally: A Buddhist prayer in a horse's ear
Chinese: 对牛弹琴 (duì niú tán qín) Literally: Playing the lute to a cow
Polish: Rzucać grochem o ścianę Literally: To throw peas at the wall
Vietnamese: Nước đổ lá khoai Literally: Water poured on a taro leaf
More English idioms
- wish the ground would swallow one up To feel so embarrassed that one wants to disappear.
- have one's head screwed on To be sensible and practical.
- a bird-brain A silly or scatterbrained person.
- toss one's cookies To vomit.
- put on a brave face To look cheerful or confident while feeling otherwise.
- throw up one's hands To show that one gives up, in despair or frustration.
Explore another collection: False Friends
Words that look familiar in another language but mean something else entirely.
- Oldtimer Actually means 'vintage car' or 'classic aircraft'. A veteran person is ein Veteran.
- Camera Actually means 'room'. A camera (device) is una macchina fotografica.
- Pretendere Actually means 'to demand' or 'to expect'. Pretende troppo = He demands too much.
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