Is "wall sb up" formal or informal?

It is mostly informal and used in casual or storytelling contexts.

Can "wall sb up" be used figuratively?

Yes, it can describe feeling trapped or confined emotionally or mentally.

Is "wall sb up" separable?

Yes, the object goes between the verb and particle.

What is the difference between "wall sb up" and "lock sb up"?

"Wall sb up" means to enclose with a wall; "lock sb up" means to secure with a lock.

Can "wall sb up" be used with inanimate objects?

Usually, it refers to people, but sometimes it can be used metaphorically for situations.

Wall sb up Meaning & Examples: How to Use This Phrasal Verb

What Does “Wall sb up” Mean?

“Wall sb up” means to enclose or block someone in by building a wall or barrier around them. It can also mean to trap or confine someone physically or metaphorically.

Introduction

The phrase “Wall sb up” is a phrasal verb commonly used in English to describe the action of enclosing or trapping someone by building a wall or barrier. The “sb” stands for “somebody,” meaning a person. This phrasal verb is often used literally, such as when someone is physically blocked inside a space, but it can also be used figuratively to describe situations where someone feels trapped or confined. Understanding the “Wall sb up meaning” can help learners recognize how this phrase works in different contexts, both in everyday speech and in writing.

Quick Info Box

Phrasal verb: Wall somebody up
Type: Transitive
Level: B2
Short meaning: To block or trap someone by building a wall or barrier

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Wall sb up” is a transitive and separable phrasal verb. It follows this pattern:

Wall + somebody + up
Example: They walled him up inside the room.

You can separate the verb and particle with the object (“somebody”). However, when using a pronoun, the object must come between the verb and the particle:

Correct: They walled him up.
Incorrect: They walled up him.

How to Use Wall sb up?

This phrasal verb is usually used in contexts where someone is physically or metaphorically trapped or confined. It can describe situations in construction, crime stories, or emotional states. When using “wall sb up,” focus on the idea of enclosing or blocking someone inside a space.

Examples

Here are some natural sentences using “Wall sb up in a sentence”:

The criminals walled the victim up in the basement to keep him hidden.
During renovations, they accidentally walled the cat up behind the bricks.
She felt walled up by all the responsibilities and couldn’t find a way out.
The old castle had secret rooms that were walled up centuries ago.
They threatened to wall him up if he didn’t cooperate with their demands.

Common Mistakes

Sometimes learners confuse the word order or use the phrase in the wrong context. Here are some examples:

Incorrect: They walled up him inside the room.
Correct: They walled him up inside the room.
Incorrect: She was walled up by the door. (Unless literally blocked by a wall)
Correct: She felt walled up by the situation. (Metaphorical use)

Differences / Synonyms

Similar phrasal verbs include “lock up,” “shut in,” and “trap.” However, “wall sb up” specifically implies enclosing with a wall or barrier, while “lock up” means securing with a lock, and “trap” means to catch or confine without specifying a physical barrier.

Common Collocations

“Wall sb up” is often paired with words related to spaces and people. Here are some common objects used:

Room – to enclose someone inside a room
Basement – often used in stories or crime contexts
Door – blocking access by building a wall
Victim – the person being walled up
Secret – referring to hidden or forgotten spaces

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of wall sb up:

Real-life Dialogue

Here’s a short conversation using “wall sb up”:

Anna: Did you hear about the old mansion? They say someone was walled up in the cellar.

Ben: Really? That sounds like something from a mystery novel.

Anna: Yeah, apparently it was to hide a secret during the war.

Practice

Try filling in the blanks with the correct form of “wall sb up”:

The builders accidentally ______ the cat ______ behind the bricks.
They threatened to ______ him ______ if he didn’t tell the truth.
During the renovation, the old door was ______ ______ completely.

FAQ

Q: Is “wall sb up” formal or informal?
A: It is mostly informal and used in casual or storytelling contexts.
Q: Can “wall sb up” be used figuratively?
A: Yes, it can describe feeling trapped or confined emotionally or mentally.
Q: Is “wall sb up” separable?
A: Yes, the object goes between the verb and particle.
Q: What is the difference between “wall sb up” and “lock sb up”?
A: “Wall sb up” means to enclose with a wall; “lock sb up” means to secure with a lock.
Q: Can “wall sb up” be used with inanimate objects?
A: Usually, it refers to people, but sometimes it can be used metaphorically for situations.