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go to the wall

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go to the wall (on something)

to take on great risk or to hold out to the very last on some issue. I will go to the wall on this point. This is a very important matter and I will go to the wall if necessary.

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go to the wall

to be defeated or destroyed They believe in a completely free market, and would let the weakest groups or individuals go to the wall.

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go to the wall (for somebody/something)

to do as much as is possible Friends and colleagues were ready to go to the wall for Hal, but he didn't want anyone's help.

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go to the wall

if a business or other organization goes to the wall, it fails and cannot continue After nine months of massive losses, the company finally went to the wall. In theory, good schools will grow and prosper and bad schools will go to the wall.

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go to the wall

1. Lose a conflict, be defeated; also, yield. For example, In spite of their efforts, they went to the wall, or When it's a matter of family versus friends, friends must go to the wall. [Late 1500s]

2. Fail in business, go bankrupt. For example, First one branch and then another did poorly, and the store finally went to the wall. [First half of 1800s]

3. Take an extreme position, hold out to the end. For example, The President went to the wall to defend his choice to head the FBI. For a synonym, see go to the mat.

See also: wall