walls
walls — noun
- wallssingular
- wallsesplural
1. A tall, solid construction built from materials like brick, stone, or wood, plac
A tall, solid construction built from materials like brick, stone, or wood, placed to divide an interior space into separate areas, form the outer sides of a building, or enclose land.
The children painted colorful pictures and hung them on the wall of their bedroom.
collocation: on the wall
A tall stone wall runs around the garden to stop the rabbits from getting in.
noun + wall: stone wall
The old city wall was built over six hundred years ago to protect the town.
Madison leaned her bicycle against the wall and went inside the shop.
There is a crack in the wall near the window that lets cold air in.
常見錯誤
2. A crowd of people or group of objects packed so tightly that nothing can pass th
A crowd of people or group of objects packed so tightly that nothing can pass through them or get around them.
The fans formed a solid wall around the stage and the singer could not get through.
collocation: formed a wall
A wall of bookshelves blocked the entrance to the old library room.
As the doors opened, a wall of reporters rushed toward the actor with questions.
The protesters created a human wall in front of the government building.
Kabir could not see the street because a wall of parked vans blocked his view.
3. A large, powerful, fast-moving mass of something such as water, fire, clouds, or
A large, powerful, fast-moving mass of something such as water, fire, clouds, or sound that moves forward with great force.
A wall of water crashed over the deck of the fishing boat during the storm.
collocation: wall of water / flames / fire
The firefighters could not get past the wall of flames that blocked the road.
collocation: wall of flames
A wall of dark clouds moved quickly across the sky before the heavy rain started.
The sound from the huge speakers hit the crowd like a wall of noise.
4. A mental or emotional barrier created by feelings, attitudes, or behavior that p
A mental or emotional barrier created by feelings, attitudes, or behavior that prevents two people or groups from understanding or communicating with each other.
There is a wall of mistrust between the two communities that has lasted for years.
collocation: wall of mistrust / silence
After the argument, a wall of silence grew between Imani and her best friend.
The manager tried to break down the wall between the older and younger staff members.
Language differences created a wall that made it hard for the teams to work together.
Ziad tried to talk to his father, but the wall between them had grown too high.
- bridge
something that connects people and improves understanding
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (IMPASSABLE MASS): sense 2 describes a physical crowd or objects; this sense describes an emotional or psychological barrier. Often used with verbs like 'break down', 'tear down', 'build', or 'create'.
5. The outer layer or membrane that forms the surface of an organ, cavity, or tube
The outer layer or membrane that forms the surface of an organ, cavity, or tube inside the body.
The doctor explained that the wall of the stomach can repair itself after a minor injury.
collocation: wall of the [organ]
Cells in the wall of the intestine help the body absorb nutrients from food.
A weak spot in the artery wall can lead to a serious medical condition if not treated.
When the patient coughed hard, it put extra pressure on the wall of the chest cavity.
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively in medical or biological contexts. The specific organ always follows the pattern 'the wall of the [organ]' or appears as a compound noun like 'artery wall'.
6. In soccer, several defenders who line up next to each other between the ball and
In soccer, several defenders who line up next to each other between the ball and the goal during a free kick, making it harder for the kicker to score directly.
The goalkeeper arranged a wall of four players before the free kick was taken.
collocation: arranged / formed a wall
The striker kicked the ball over the wall and into the top corner of the goal.
The referee made sure the wall stood ten yards back from the ball.
Asher jumped up with the wall to try and block the shot with his head.
用法筆記
Common in British English soccer commentary. The wall is always positioned a fixed distance (10 yards / 9.15 metres) from the ball. Different from sense 2 (IMPASSABLE MASS), which refers to any tight crowd, not a specific sports tactic.
7. A difficult or desperate situation from which it is hard to escape, often used i
A difficult or desperate situation from which it is hard to escape, often used in phrases like 'back against the wall' or 'up against a wall'.
With debts piling up and no job, the family had their backs against the wall.
idiomatic: back(s) against the wall
The small company was up against a wall and had to let half of its workers go.
idiomatic: up against a wall
When the landlord raised the rent again, Manuela felt her back was against the wall.
The losing team was driven to the wall by the champions early in the game.
- dead end
a situation with no possibility of progress
- predicament
a more formal term for a difficult situation
用法筆記
This sense appears almost exclusively in fixed idiomatic expressions about being trapped or desperate. Not used as a standalone noun in modern English.
常見錯誤
walls — verb
- wallspresent simple I / you / we / they
- wallses3rd person singular
- wallsing-ing form
- wallsedpast simple
1. To surround an area with a wall, or to close an opening by building a wall acros
To surround an area with a wall, or to close an opening by building a wall across it.
The farmer walled off the vegetable garden to protect it from wild animals.
phrasal: walled off
The old fireplace was walled up to make the living room feel bigger.
passive: was walled up
The Quan family decided to wall in the backyard patio to give themselves more privacy.
The garden was walled on three sides, with an iron gate at the front.
- open up
to remove a barrier or create an opening
文法句型
wall + object
wall + object + particle (in/off/up)
用法筆記
Common particle pairings: 'wall off' (separate an area), 'wall up' (close an opening), 'wall in' (surround). The passive form is frequent because the focus is usually on the result, not the builder.
2. To isolate or separate a person or thing from others, or to keep them inside a r
To isolate or separate a person or thing from others, or to keep them inside a restricted area, either physically or figuratively.
After the accident, Eli walled himself off from his friends and stopped answering calls.
phrasal: walled himself off (figurative isolation)
The old mine tunnel was walled shut after it became unsafe for workers.
passive: was walled shut
Pim felt walled in by the crowded city and dreamed of living in the countryside.
The prisoners were walled up in a tiny cell with no light or fresh air.
文法句型
wall + object
wall + reflexive pronoun + off/in
be walled + adverb
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (ENCLOSE WITH WALL): sense 1 is about building a wall around a place or closing an opening; this sense focuses on separation or confinement of a person or group, often with a negative emotional tone.