Dictionary.com
definitions

back to the wall

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]

RELATED CONTENT

Back to the Future Day
Read more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE
fall of the Berlin Wall
Read more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

forlorn, vain, futile, despondent, sad, downcast, goner, despairing, gone, inconsolable, irremediable, useless, wretched, irrecoverable, irretrievable, no-way, no-win, sunk
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.