backs against the wall
Trapped, nowhere left
When people have their backs against the wall, they're in a desperate situation with no room to retreat—forced to confront a threat or challenge directly.
The image is of being cornered, unable to escape: With our backs against the wall, we had no choice but to fight.
The phrase often implies that desperation may produce unexpected strength or resolve.
- corneredUnable to flee
- back to the wallForced into desperate position
- last-ditchFinal desperate attempt
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
- adversitySevere difficulty or suffering
desperate · fight or flight · survival mode · siege · trapped · grit · pressured · resistance · against all odds · defenseless · determination · resolve · do or die · make or break · final stand · tenacity · courage · despair
backs against the wallin the driver's seat
Having control or authority
holding all the cards · upper hand · in control · sitting pretty · calling the shots
backs against the wallcomfortable
Physically at ease
at ease · sitting pretty · safe and sound · out of the woods · home free
backs against the wallfree rein
Unrestricted freedom to act
carte blanche · spoiled for choice · flexibility · wide open · unencumbered
backs, backed, backing, backer, backside, backward, backwards, walled, walling