back to the wall

Idioms and Phrases

Also, back against the wall . In a hard-pressed situation; also, without any way of escape. For example, In the closing few minutes, our team had its back to the wall but continued to fight gallantly , or The bank has him with his back to the wall; he'll have to pay up now . This term was used originally for a military force that is making a last stand. [First half of 1500s]

Example Sentences

With his back to the wall, he flings himself about the stage like a performer desperate to wring every second of his dwindling time in the spotlight.

From Los Angeles Times

In fact, the very existence of the union was a consequence of the success of local organizing in response a few years back to the Wall Street types who owned the Milwaukee Bucks and threatened to pull the basketball team out of the city unless they got hundreds of millions in support from taxpayers for the construction of what is now the Fiserv Forum and surrounding redevelopment district.

From Salon

They let him rest for a minute, then moved back to the wall.

From Literature

The boy responded by cautiously moving out from behind the desk, keeping his back to the wall and his eyes fixed on the man.

From Literature

"I'll be looking 'where's the fire escape', 'where's my nearest exit?' Like sitting with my back to the wall so I can see everything at all times."

From BBC

Related Words

• despondent
• forlorn
• futile
• sad
• vain