be banging, etc. your head against a brick wall

be banging (one's) head against a brick wall

To be attempting, continuously and fruitlessly, to accomplish some task or achieve some goal that is or seems ultimately hopeless. I feel like I've been banging my head against a brick wall trying to understand this math equation.See also: bang, brick, head, wall

be banging, etc. your head against a brick ˈwall

(informal) try for a long time to achieve something, persuade somebody to do something, etc. without success: I realized they weren’t even listening to my protests. I was just banging my head against a brick wall.See also: brick, head, wall