with (your/its) back against the wall

in a serious situation with few ways to react to it.

Many of these schools find themselves with their backs against the wall, and unless they get more funding, they'll have to fire some teachers.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form have your/its back against the wall:

The Mexican team has its back against the wall and must win tonight's game.

• let something slide
• let something slip
• let something slip through fingers
• let something slip through your fingers
• let something speak for itself
• let something speak for themselves
• let speak for itself
• let speak for themselves
• let's see
• letter of the law
• let the cat out of the bag
• let the chips fall
• let the chips fall where they may
• let the devil take the hindmost
• let the genie out of the bottle
• let the grass grow under feet
• let the grass grow under your feet
• let the side down
• let things slide
• let up
• let up on
• let up on someone
• let up on something
• let well alone
• let your hair down