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one's back against the wall
01
in a situation where one has little choice to do what they want or need to
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Idiom
InformalWhat is the origin of the idiom "one's back against the wall" and when to use it?
The exact origin of the idiom "one's back against the wall" is not definitively documented, but it is a phrase that likely draws from a literal scenario where someone is physically cornered or trapped with their back against a wall, which is a vulnerable and constrained position. Over time, this concept has been figuratively applied to describe situations in which people face extreme pressure, adversity, or limited options.
Example
After the unexpected accident, they found their backs against the wall, dealing with a crisis that required immediate action.
He owes money to everyone - he really has his back to the wall now.
The negotiations weren't going well, and it felt like they had their backs to the wall with little room for compromise.
We knew that with so little time and money left to finish the project we had our backs to the wall.
When the company was on the brink of bankruptcy, the CEO had his back against the wall and had to make some tough decisions.
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