rearguard action
Fighting while withdrawing
A rearguard action is a defensive military operation by troops protecting a retreating force.
More often the term appears figuratively: a rearguard action is a struggle to resist or delay inevitable change, typically one destined to fail: The old guard fought a rearguard action against the merger.
Capacity to withstand force
- holdoutOne refusing to participate
- last standUltimate defensive effort
- fighting retreatOrderly withdrawal under fire
- containmentPreventing hostile expansion
fallback · protective cover · obstruction · safeguarding · shielding · bulwark · strongpoint · defensive line
Intentional pullback for advantage
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- skirmish lineExtended infantry formation
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- counterattackOffensive response to aggression
Intentional delay tactics
- buying timeDelaying to gain advantage
- hindranceBarrier to progress
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
- delaying tacticManeuver to postpone progress
Unwinnable contest
- last-ditchFinal desperate attempt
- holding outRefusing to surrender
- lost causeEndeavor certain to fail
- uphill battleDifficult prolonged endeavor
resistance
Capacity to withstand force
- holdoutOne refusing to participate
- last standUltimate defensive effort
- fighting retreatOrderly withdrawal under fire
containment · fallback · protective cover · obstruction · safeguarding · shielding · bulwark · strongpoint · defensive line · perimeter defense
tactical retreat
Intentional pullback for advantage
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- skirmish lineExtended infantry formation
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
stalling
Intentional delay tactics
- buying timeDelaying to gain advantage
- hindranceBarrier to progress
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
losing battle
Unwinnable contest
- last-ditchFinal desperate attempt
- holding outRefusing to surrender
- lost causeEndeavor certain to fail
- defensedefense, defending, protecting, protection, security
- DunkirkDunkirk spirit, evacuation routes, rescue boats, Dunkerque, channel crossing
- military tacticstactics, flanking, maneuver, ambush, battle formations
- cavalry tacticscavalry charge, cavalry charges, cavalry raids, flanking, flank attack
- infantry tacticsfire and maneuver, flanking maneuver, battle drills, defensive positions, ambush tactics
- retreatsspa, retreat house, meditation retreat, writing retreat, wellness retreat
rearguard actionadvance
Move or progress forward
charge · offensive · attack · assault · push forward
rearguard actionoffensive
Causing displeasure or attack-oriented
preemptive strike · first strike · attack · initiative · seizing the initiative
rear, rears, reared, rearing, guard, guards, guarded, guarding, guardian