Mike: I’ve tried discussing the issue with her, but it was like talking to a brick wall.
Jason: How come?
Mike: I don’t know why. She wouldn’t listen to any of the possible solutions.

본문에서 Mike가 Jason에게 “I’ve tried discussing the issue with her, but it was like talking to a brick wall. 그 여자와 이 문제를 논의해봤는데 꼭 벽에다 대고 이야기하는 것 같았어.” 라고 하자 Jason이 “How come? 왜?” 라고 묻네요. 이어 Mike가 “I don’t know why. She wouldn’t listen to any of the possible solutions. 이유를 모르겠어. 이런저런 해결 방법을 알려줘도 들으려고 하지 않아.”라고 하더라고요.

Now keep today’s expression ‘talking to a brick wall’ in mind and let’s hear the conversation again. 그럼 다시 한번 대화를 들어볼까요?

Mike: I’ve tried discussing the issue with her, but it was like talking to a brick wall.
Jason: How come?
Mike: I don’t know why. She wouldn’t listen to any of the possible solutions.

Today’s expression is talking to a brick wall. If talking to someone is like talking to a brick wall, the person you are speaking to is either not listening or not understanding you. Talking to a brick wall 말 그대로 하면 ‘벽돌 담에 대고 이야기하다.’ 라는 뜻인데요. 상대가 내 이야기를 들으려 하지 않거나 잘 알아듣지 못하는 경우 비꼬는 투로 하는 말입니다. 비슷한 한국 속담으로 “쇠귀에 경 읽기”라는 게 있죠.

오늘 본문에서 Mike가 Jason에게 “ I’ve tried discussing the issue with her, but it was like talking to a brick wall.” 라고 했습니다. “그 여자와 이 문제를 논의해봤는데 꼭 벽에다 대고 이야기하는 것 같았어.” 라고 말입니다. 이렇게 상대로부터 아무런 반응을 얻지 못할 때 쓸 수 있는 표현이 talking to a brick wall 입니다.

예문을 통해 오늘 표현을 더 익혀보겠습니다. “Why don’t you listen to what I say? I feel like I’m talking to a brick wall.”라고 하면 “왜 내 말을 안 듣는 거니? 꼭 쇠귀에 경 읽기 같아.”라는 뜻이 됩니다.

또 다른 예를 들어 보겠습니다. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to talk to Jamie right now. It’s going to be like talking to a brick wall.” 라고 하면 “재이미한테 지금 말 걸지 않는 게 좋을 거야. 쇠귀에 경 읽기가 될 테니까 말이지.” 라는 뜻이 됩니다. Now you know what today’s expression means right? Then we will listen to the conversation for the last time.

Mike: I’ve tried discussing the issue with her, but it was like talking to a brick wall.
Jason: How come?
Mike: I don’t know why. She wouldn’t listen to any of the possible solutions.

Let’s review. If talking to someone is like talking to a brick wall, the person you are speaking to is either not listening or not understanding you. TALKING TO A BRICK WALL. Now try using this expression on your own.