Wall Meaning
Wall Definition & Usage
A solid vertical structure that encloses or divides an area, typically made of stone, brick, or other materials.
Examples
- "The children were playing in the garden, near the high brick wall."
- "We need to build a wall between our properties for privacy."
- "The city wall was once a defense against invaders."
- "He leaned against the wall, staring out the window."
- "The walls of the room were painted in soft pastel colors."
A metaphorical barrier or obstacle that hinders progress or communication.
Examples
- "She hit a wall in her studies and couldn’t seem to get any further."
- "Our negotiations reached a wall, and we couldn't agree on the terms."
- "After hours of trying, they hit the wall and had to take a break."
- "The team faces a mental wall after consecutive losses."
- "He felt like there was a wall between him and his family, preventing true connection."
To build or construct a wall around something or to create a barrier.
Examples
- "The workers walled off the construction site to ensure safety."
- "They decided to wall up the old basement to prevent flooding."
- "The garden was walled in by a beautiful stone fence."
- "He walled the fireplace with decorative bricks."
- "The company walled itself off from the outside world during the crisis."
An expression indicating a psychological or emotional barrier, often used in the phrase 'a wall between'.
Examples
- "There's always been a wall between us ever since that argument."
- "Despite the open door, I felt a wall between us."
- "The wall between them was built over years of misunderstanding."
- "She felt as though there was an invisible wall between her and the rest of the team."
- "I can’t break down the wall that has been built between me and my parents."
Cultural Context
The concept of a wall has both literal and figurative meanings, often symbolizing boundaries or separation. Historically, walls were constructed for defense, privacy, and territorial delineation. In modern times, walls are also used in a symbolic sense, representing barriers in relationships, communication, or even personal growth.
The Wall Between Us
Story
The Wall Between Us
Sophie and Emma had been best friends for years, but something had changed. A distance had grown between them, and neither could explain why. It started small—Emma had become distant, absorbed in her new job. Sophie had tried to reach out, but Emma seemed to put up a wall, both physically and emotionally. One afternoon, Sophie arrived at Emma's apartment, knocking on the door. She waited, and the sound of footsteps echoed behind it. Emma opened the door, a faint smile on her face, but Sophie noticed the wall that had been built between them. It wasn’t the kind of wall that could be seen—it was the invisible kind, the one that separated their once easy conversations into awkward silences. "What’s going on with you, Em?" Sophie asked, stepping inside. Emma hesitated, then let out a deep sigh. "I don’t know, Soph. I just feel like everything is... different. Like I’m trapped behind a wall, and I don’t know how to break through." Sophie nodded, understanding more than she let on. She had felt the wall too, but she wasn’t sure how to tear it down. "We need to talk about it. I can’t keep pretending everything’s okay when it’s not." Emma looked up, eyes filled with emotion. "I know. I feel it too. It’s just... hard." The conversation that followed was slow, but eventually, they started to rebuild the bridge between them. The wall was still there, but it didn’t feel as solid as before. It was a start, and sometimes, that’s all it took to break down the barriers we build around ourselves. The story highlighted multiple uses of 'wall.' First, Sophie and Emma discussed the emotional 'wall' between them, representing their growing distance. Secondly, the physical action of breaking down a wall metaphorically described the effort required to rebuild their relationship. The concept of walls, both visible and invisible, illustrated how something so simple could have such a profound effect on human connections.
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