back (someone) into a corner

to force someone into a bad situation.

The company backed its workers into a corner by hiring replacements during the strike.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form get backed into a corner:

When that team gets backed into a corner, they aren't afraid to fight their way out.

• not be someone's cup of tea
• not be someone's department
• not be the end of the world
• not be the full quid
• not be the marrying kind
• not be the only pebble on the beach
• not be up to much
• not be up to scratch
• not be worth a dime
• not be worth a fig
• not be worth a hill of beans
• not be worth the paper it's printed on
• not be worth the paper it's written on
• not be worth the paper they're printed on
• not be worth the paper they're written on
• not be your bag
• not be your brother's keeper
• not break the bank
• not breathe a word
• not budge an inch
• not by a long shot
• not by any stretch
• not by any stretch of the imagination
• not care a fig
• not care a hoot