back to the wall

Idioms  

1. 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]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

back to the wall

In the midst of the Diamondbacks’ two-run fifth, All-Star center fielder Andy Pages tracked a long fly back to the wall but missed the catch as the ball bounced off his glove.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 12, 2026

"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 ● Apr. 19, 2024

Now she had her back to the wall.

From Salon ● Apr. 16, 2023

“Once I saw him running back to the wall, I was thinking in my head, ‘Oh, please just don’t catch it, just don’t catch it.’”

From Washington Times ● Oct. 29, 2022

Peter sits with his back to the wall in the hallway.

From "Allegiant" by Veronica Roth

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Related Words

• despondent
• forlorn
• futile
• sad
• vain

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