fallback position
Secondary strategic option
A fallback position is a secondary option you retreat to when your preferred approach fails.
In negotiations, it's the alternative you're prepared to accept if you can't get what you really want: Their fallback position was to accept a smaller raise rather than none at all.
The term comes from military usage, where forces fall back to a defensive position when unable to hold their ground.
- backupStored duplicate for recovery
- backup planAlternative if primary fails
- retreatSanctuary or withdrawal
- contingencyUncertain possible event
- plan of actionIntended method forward
safety net · Plan B · escape route · alternative · reserve · ace in the hole · last resort · nuclear option · fallback · defensive · regroup · holding pattern · withdraw · hedging · insurance · safeguard · stronghold · bunker
- defensedefense, defending, protecting, protection, security
- strategystrategy, grand strategy, tactics, tactic, tactical
- tactical positionsobservation post, command post, outpost, overwatch, high ground
- advantagesedge, leverage, upper hand, leg up, head start
- retreatsspa, retreat house, meditation retreat, writing retreat, wellness retreat
- defensibilitymoat, fortress, bunker, stronghold, citadel
fallback positionfirst choice
Most preferred option
top priority · plan A · best-case scenario · top pick · frontrunner
fall, back, position, falls, fallen, falling, faller, fallout, downfall