Bang One’s Head Against A Brick Wall

bang one's head against a brick wall idiom meaning

Also:

Beat One’s Head Against a Brick Wall
Bang/beat one’s head against a wall
Hit One’s Head Against a Brick Wall
Butt One’s Head Against a Brick Wall

Meaning of Idiom ‘Bang One’s Head Against a Brick Wall’

To bang one’s head against a (brick) wall means to stubbornly continue trying to achieve an objective that is almost impossible. 1 2

This idiom is most often used to refer to trying to get another person to do something, such as to understand or accept something you tell them or to take a piece of advice. 3 For example: “Talking to Tom about managing his money is just banging my head against a brick wall.”

Since it usually refers to ongoing and repeated effort, the present participle banging or beating is usually used. Present and past forms are also used such as in “If you want to bang your head against a wall trying to fix this pile of rust, be my guest.” Other forms are possible but more rarely used.

Other similar verbs are used in place of bang, hit, butt, and bash.

Sentence Examples

“Melissa finally left her husband. She said she was tired of banging her head against a wall trying to get him to change.”

“For years I’ve been beating my head against a brick wall, trying to get this business to turn a profit. I have finally decided to let it go.”

“I believe you’ve called before, sir.” “Yes. I’ve called a couple of times and no one’s calling me back. I feel like I’m hitting my head against a brick wall.” — Philomena (2013)

“See, that’s the trouble with the world today. Everybody butting their heads against a brick wall. All muscle and no mentality.” — The Sword in the Stone (1963)

“Do you still teach?” “No. I got tired of hitting my head against a brick wall.” — Guantanamera (1995)

“You know, you may want to consider working within the system rather than bashing your head against a brick wall time and time again.” — Mozart in the Jungle: You Have Insulted Tchaikovsky (2014)

“There’s nothing more like banging your head against a brick wall than cross-examining a witness who’s telling nothing but the truth.” — Rumpole of the Bailey: Rumpole and the Genuine Article (1983)

“Want to try again?” “You like bashing your head against a brick wall, don’t you?” — Vietnam: Episode #1.4 (1987)

Origin

Used since at least the late 1800’s.

The allusion here is simple. Banging one’s head against a wall is a self-destructive activity which serves no purpose but to bring one pain and injury.

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References
  1. Spears, Richard A. McGraw-Hill’s American Idioms Dictionary. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2008.
  2. Ayto, John. Oxford Dictionary of English Idioms. Oxford: Oxford U, 2010.
  3.  Kirkpatrick, E. M. Clichés: over 1500 Phrases Explored and Explained. St. Martin’s Press, 1997.