go to the wall

1. To go bankrupt. If the company loses money again this quarter, it will go to the wall sooner than later. We've spent too much time developing this product. If we don't get it on the market soon, we're going to go to the wall! You'll go to the wall unless you bring your spending in line with your income.

2. To steadfastly support someone or something regardless of any suffering one might incur as a result. I would go to the wall for you, so I'll certainly endorse you on the campaign trail. Of course I expected you to go to the wall for me—I'm your wife! I know you want to go to the wall for your cousin, but the evidence against him really is damning.

3. To yield or submit to someone or something. Despite putting forth our best effort, we went to the wall and came home losers. Sometimes, you just need to go to the wall with your family, in order to keep the peace. If the boss disagrees with your approach, then you better go to the wall—or lose your job.

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.

COMMON

1. If a person or company goes to the wall, they lose all their money and their business fails. Over the last year, two football clubs have gone to the wall. A total of 1,776 companies went to the wall in the three months to March.

2. If you are willing to go to the wall for a person or a principle, you support them so strongly that you are prepared to suffer for them. Above all, he prizes loyalty. He'll go to the wall for someone or something he believes in. This man will go to the wall for you if you're on his side. Note: One explanation for this expression is that it refers to someone who is trapped with their back to a wall and no way of escape. Another explanation is that it refers to medieval chapels in which healthy people used to stand, but which had seats around the walls for sick people. A third explanation is that it refers to someone standing in front of a wall before being executed by a firing squad.