His was the student's simple ardour.
"Up against it," he echoed.

"Really! Dear! Dear! And that signifies, you say----" "Apparently it means that a man has come face to face with an obstacle difficult or impossible to overcome." "But, upon my word, that is not bad.

It is strong figure of speech.
It brings up a picture.

A man hurrying to an end--much desired--comes unexpectedly upon a stone wall.

One can almost hear the impact.