back to the wall

back to the wall

In a bad or high-pressure situation in which one's choice or ability to act is limited. She finds herself with her back to the wall now that creditors are coming after her for more money than she makes. Sometimes, the best solutions arise when we are with our backs to the wall, when we don't have the luxury of examining every option under the sun.
See also: back, wall
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

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]
See also: back, wall
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • with (one's) back to the wall
  • with your back to the wall
  • in a box
  • have (one's) back to the wall
  • have back to the wall
  • have your back to the wall
  • ace it
  • aced
  • back home
  • at (one's) doorstep
References in classic literature
Thereupon he seated himself with his back to the wall and his face to the door, and finding an English newspaper on the table, read it until they reached the docks.
"I can't make this out," said he, when he came home from the play one night, and was drinking a glass of cold grog, with his back to the wall, in order that he mightn't be able to fancy there was any one behind him--"I can't make it out," said he; and just then his eyes rested on the little closet that had been always locked up, and a shudder ran through his whole frame from top to toe.
I crouched at the foot of the staircase with my back to the wall, shivering violently.
Meralco, on the other hand, also has its back to the wall and at 3-6, would need to close out with two victories, counting this critical clash with the Aces.
With your back to the wall, walk on to another bench with stone pillars.
Back-to-the-wall toilets are a great way to hide the unsightly waste-pipe connector going into the pan because, as the name says, they go right back to the wall without a gap, perfect if the connector would be in your eyeline.
Continue reading "With Their Back to the Wall, the Celtics Need Inspiration From Red Auerbach" at...
Cpl Payne switches his attention to the prisoner to his left who is pictured with his legs bent, back to the wall. The soldier is heard shouting: "Get up you f*** ape, now!
As defending champion, the 24-year-old Hamilton already has his back to the wall in his effort to become the first Briton to be crowned two years in succession.
Glasvegas hark back to the wall of sound 60s with tales of desperation and loss, while White Lies have stormed onto the scene with a thumping take on 80s synth pop.
He likes it when he has got his back to the wall. He is not going to come down here and not be fired up for it."
Catch it on the rebound and throw it back to the wall immediately.
Sit on the floor with your back to the wall, and pull your weight up by the ballet barre.
And it was a back to the wall second-half display that almost worked for John McIntyre's men after building up a 1-10 to 0-7 half-time lead with Dylan Hayden finding the net.
Kiaer asks us divide our viewpoint and imagine ourselves with our back to the wall, returning our own gaze, both detached and complicit.