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 ]
Read Also:
- Back-trail
to backtrack. historical examples an’ i waited there all afternoon till dark, expectin’ mebbe they’d back-trail. the man of the forest zane grey “but, jim, i’ll never be able to find the back-trail,” said joan. the border legion zane grey after a while the foot-fall again gained upon him, and once more the walk merged […]
- Back up
the rear part of the human body, extending from the neck to the lower end of the spine. the part of the body of animals corresponding to the human back. the rear portion of any part of the body: the back of the head. the whole body, with reference to clothing: the clothes on his […]
- Back vent
(in plumbing) a vent situated on the sewer side of a trap.
- Back wages
noun see back pay historical examples he hinted that if he could get his back wages he did not care what became of the boat. the yazoo mystery irving craddock his clothes, save what were upon him, had descended to his man-servant for back wages. the voice of the city o. henry he insists that […]
- Back walkover
see under walkover (def 4). racing. a walking or trotting over the course by a contestant who is the only starter. an unopposed or easy victory. any task easily done. gymnastics. a vertical rotation of the body from a standing position, performed by leaning forward to a brief handstand and bringing the legs over and […]