Phrase guide

up the walls

prep_phrase · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

Very busy, swamped.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Ireland, UK, idiomatic, usually

Qualifier: regarding a workplace

Examples

  • We were up the walls last week and I got ten hours overtime.
  • We didn't go to the restaurant as it was up the walls.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.