run into a stone wall —(also: come up against a brick wall) encounter an impenetrable obstacle or difficulty:
- These recommendations have run into a stone wall, as Republican and Democratic governors alike have strongly resisted any Federal cuts.
Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase hit the wall running—(coll.) exhaust one’s supply of energ y during a run (such as a marathon):
- I could quit running at any time and just get off the treadmill at any point without a need to walk (or crawl) home after I hit the wall running.
run one’s head into a stone wall —(coll.) persist with smth. without making any progress (also: run one’s head into a brick wall):
- If the President continued to insist on his plan he would be beaten. They besought Jimmy Roosevelt to make the President see reason, to persuade him not to run his head into a stone wall.
Note: The expression is not equivalent in meaning to the phrase be stonewalled—
1. used of a person whose progress is doggedly blocked (by refusing an answer, cooperation, etc.):
- They suffered an unusual tragedy, but I could never find out the full facts about it—I was stonewalled. No one would tell me the truth.
2. used of parliamentary obstruction of a debate, bill, etc. by engaging in delaying tactics:
- This is the same legislation which was passed unanimously by the Senate during the last session, but which was stonewalled in the House.