up against the wall
Out of options
Up against the wall describes being in a desperate situation with no good options remaining.
The image is of someone cornered, unable to retreat further: With the deadline tomorrow and half the work undone, we're up against the wall.
The phrase can also be a literal command to stand facing a wall, typically before a search or execution.
- snookeredOutwitted and stuck
- corneredUnable to flee
- predicamentDifficult, unpleasant situation
- trappedUnable to escape
- confrontedChallenged or opposed directly
backed into a corner · plight · resistance · dilemma · quandary · bind · deadlock · dire straits · difficulty · on the ropes · under the gun · impasse · pressured · pressure cooker · crunch time · last stand · breaking point · moment of truth
up against the wallout in the open
Visible to everyone
away from · in the open · unobstructed · free-standing · unconfined
up against the wallin the clear
Free of blame or danger
sitting pretty · in the driver's seat · home free · holding all the cards · out of the woods
up against the wallat ease
Relaxed, not tense
comfortable · relaxed · cool as a cucumber · untroubled · stress-free
against, wall, upping, upward, upwards, uppermost, walled, walling