go to the wall

To fail completely, especially because a business has no money left.

• Small shops may go to the wall.
• Several companies went to the wall during the recession.
• Without new investment, our business will go to the wall.

Similar words: fail, go bankrupt, go under

Opposites: succeed

Common phrases: go to the wall, businesses go to the wall

To defend a position firmly, even if doing so means taking extreme action.

• She will go to the wall over this principle.
• The workers went to the wall rather than accept the cuts.
• Would he go to the wall to defend that policy?

How to use it: go to the wall over something (The union will go to the wall over pension rights.)

Similar words: stand firm, dig in

Opposites: back down

Common phrases: go to the wall, go to the wall over something

To use all your strength and effort to achieve something.

• We will go to the wall to win.
• He went to the wall for his teammates.
• Will you go to the wall to save this project?

How to use it: go to the wall for someone/something (She would go to the wall for her team.)

Similar words: give your all, go all out

Common phrases: go to the wall, go to the wall for someone

To receive no attention or be forgotten because other things seem more important.

• Their needs often go to the wall.
• The children’s interests went to the wall during the dispute.
• When money is tight, environmental concerns can go to the wall.

Similar words: be neglected, be forgotten, be sidelined

Common phrases: go to the wall, needs go to the wall