Clutch wont depress? wtf?

i've got a 97 Hyundai Elantra GLS with a manual transmision. this
afternoon when i went to leave i pushed in the clutch and the car
started fine, i then put it into reverse and pulled out into my
driveway then i put it into neutral and rolled down my driveway into
the street. then i pushed the clutch with the intention to shift into
first, but the pedal wont depress. It will go down about half an inch
and thenwont go any further. The clutch/brake fluid level is just a
little below max so i dont think that is the problem.

i thought maybe there was something under my dash obstructing the
pedals movement because that is what it feels like. i got under the
dash and screwed around with it for a while but nothing helped. the
pedal itself isnt being obstructed by anything. i detached the pedal
from the rod thing that it pushes and the pedal itself moves around
fine so my theory is wrong.

has anyone experienced this before?
what might the problem be?
where should i start?