误译：He tried to get a job through backdoor dealings, but he went to the wall。

　　正译：He tried to get a job through backdoor dealings, but he met with a rebuff。

　　解释：这句话里的“撞墙”的意思是“遭到拒绝”。而to go to the wall的意思是to be defeated，即“输掉”，与“遭到拒绝”没有关系。例如：

　　1.尽管他们努力了，但是还是输了。 In spite of their efforts, they went to the wall。

　　“撞墙”的第一个意思是“碰到墙上”，也可以说“碰墙”。英语可以译为to butt against, to knock against a wall, to run into a wall。例如：

　　2. 他头疼得厉害，直想撞墙。His head ached so badly that he wanted to butt against a wall。

　　“撞墙”的第二个意思是“遭遇严重阻碍或挫折”，也可以说“碰壁”。英语可以译为to meet with a setback, to suffer a setback。例如：

　　3. 虽一再撞墙，但他依旧情绪高昂。Although he has suffered setbacks again and again, he is still in high spirits。

　　“撞墙”的第三个意思是“遭遇拒绝或斥责”，也可以说“碰钉子”或“碰一鼻子灰”。英语可以译为to meet with a rebuff, to be rebuffed, to meet rejection。例如：

　　4.他到一家高科技公司求职，因学历低而碰了一鼻子灰。He went to look for a job in a high-tech company, but met rejection because of his low qualification。

　　“撞锁”的意思是“登门找人时，对方的门锁着”。英语可以译为 to find the door locked, to find that sb is not in。例如：

　　5. 昨天我去拜访我的一位朋友，结果撞锁了。Yesterday I went to visit a friend of mine only to find the door locked。

　　(作者：王逢鑫教授)