force to the wall

force (one) to the wall

To put one in a position or situation where their options are limited. Every night after school is a battle—I basically have to force the kids to the wall to get them to do their homework. Of course that team won the big game when faced with missing the playoffs—they perform best in situations that force them to the wall.
See also: force, wall
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

force someone to the wall

 and drive someone to the wall
Fig. to push someone to an extreme position; to put someone into an awkward position. He wouldn't tell the truth until we forced him to the wall. They don't pay their bills until you drive them to the wall.
See also: force, wall
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • force (one) to the wall
  • drive (one) to the wall
  • press (one) to the wall
  • push (one) to the wall
  • push to the wall
  • the lesser evil
  • lesser evil
  • (one) would (just) as soon (do something)
  • an arrow in the quiver
  • arrow in the quiver
References in periodicals archive
Only a conglomerateur could afford to do this, and it is no accident that the name of the paper he is trying to force to the wall is The Independent.
Synergy crisis