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what's "hitting the proverbial brick wall" meaning?

by runeveryday
6 replies
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"Allows the reader to focus on what's really important, writing programs without hitting the proverbial brick wall that dooms many who attempt to learn assembly language to failure. . . ."

i am not a native speaker of english, so i can't understand the part----"hitting the proverbial brick wall " well,expect some one can explain it to me.,thank you,
  • Profile picture of the author David Maschke
    It means the person is having a problem, and is unable to find the solution.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Dave's answer is right - but if you don't see the symbolism.....

    Imagine driving a car or riding a bike and everything is just going along fine and all of the sudden there is a brick wall in front of you. Boom, crunch.

    That's the image that the term works on.
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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    • Profile picture of the author John Durham
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      Dave's answer is right - but if you don't see the symbolism.....

      Imagine driving a car or riding a bike and everything is just going along fine and all of the sudden there is a brick wall in front of you. Boom, crunch.

      That's the image that the term works on.
      Yup. You're cruisin along then SPLAT!

      I think it means you cant go any further... I have habitually attended "The Ashram" here and there every few years for about 15 years now (Whenever I feel brave) ... Thats where I learned the meaning of truly "Hitting The wall".

      They teach you to keep going even after you hit the wall, and that on the other side is new found energy... they are right.
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  • Profile picture of the author NathanZad
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    • Profile picture of the author Frank Donovan
      Yes, it's a simple enough image; but the OP may have been confused by the writer's use of the adjective 'proverbial' to describe a metaphor. :rolleyes:


      Frank
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Frank - over here in the US where English has been *******ized for centuries (), we use "proverbial" any time we speak of a situation perfectly fitting an old saying that has become cliche........

    such as in:
    The proverbial pot calling the kettle black
    The proverbial goose that laid the golden egg
    The proverbial straw that broke the camel's back
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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  • Profile picture of the author Thomas
    It means this happens in some area of your life other than driving...

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