bæk əˈɡenst ðə wɔːl
General
neutral
intermediate
- Literally:
- Standing with one's back touching a wall
What does "back against the wall" mean?
- In a very difficult situation with few options
- Facing serious pressure or danger with no way to retreat
Examples
- With debts mounting, he had his back against the wall.
- The team had their backs against the wall but managed to win.
- When your back is against the wall, you discover your true strength.
Origin
Military origin, referring to being cornered with no escape route. When your back is against the wall, you cannot retreat and must face whatever is ahead.
How to use it
Often used in competitive contexts like sports or business. Can describe both desperate situations and the determination they inspire.
Similar expressions
between a rock and a hard place
cornered
in a tight spot
Opposites
in a comfortable position
with options
Related idioms
- actions speak louder than words
What people do is more important than what they say
- better safe than sorry
It's better to be careful and prevent problems than to take risks
- so far so good
Things have gone well up to now
- easier said than done
Something is more difficult to do than to talk about
- make a long story short
To summarize or get to the point
- to make matters worse
In addition to existing problems
Use it in a practice answer
Try "back against the wall" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.