rearguard actions
Fighting while retreating
Rearguard actions are defensive efforts to slow an advancing enemy while the main force retreats—troops fighting to buy time rather than win.
The phrase extends to any resistance against inevitable change or defeat: The old guard fought a rearguard action against the merger.
The singular rearguard action is equally common.
- retreatSanctuary or withdrawal
- fighting retreatOrderly withdrawal under fire
- tactical withdrawalDeliberate retreat preserving forces
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- buying timeDelaying to gain advantage
defense · holding · delaying · skirmish · covering · fallback · siege · flanking · trench · last stand · last ditch · desperate · forlorn hope · outnumbered · sacrifice · battalion · stronghold · fortify
rearguard actionsadvance
Move or progress forward
offensive · attack · charge · offensive push · assault
rearguard actionsoffensive
Causing displeasure or attack-oriented
attack · aggression · conquest · territorial expansion · initiative
rearguard, rear, guard, action, rearward, rears, reared, rearing, guards