go to the wall

VERB

fail

Synonyms

STRONGEST

break close drop end finish

STRONG

crash defalcate default dishonor fold overdraw repudiate terminate

WEAK

be cleaned out be in arrears be ruined be taken to the cleaners become insolvent close down close one's doors drop a bundle go bankrupt go belly up go broke go bust go into Chapter 11 go out of business go under go up lose big lose one's shirt

Antonyms

STRONGEST

begin commence continue start

WEAK

accomplish achieve capture complete deliver earn gain merit obtain procure prosper reach succeed win

VERB

kick the bucket

Synonyms

WEAK

bite the dust buy the farm cash in one's chips cease living croak expire go belly up go west meet one's maker pass away pass on shove off succumb

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“We have to go to the wall to defend those private properties, and that is the end of the story,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 21, 2025

Among things McCann planned to focus on: “Don’t go to the wall — just try to stay in the middle of the ice,” he said, laughing.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 11, 2024

"Just as we have done so far, we will go to the wall if it's about protecting our children," Varga said, adding that uphold the legislation was necessary and further measures would be taken.

From Reuters • Mar. 9, 2023

So after the rocky start, the Bulldogs decided that to get through that early season wall, they’d have to go to the wall.

From Washington Post • Apr. 27, 2016

I am not qualified to pronounce on the vexed question; but my experience is that in such matters the big man usually gets his way, and the smaller has to go to the wall.

From A New Medley of Memories by Hunter-Blair, David

go to the wall

Example Sentences

Related Words