one's  back   against the wall
<i>one's</i>
wʌnz
vanz
back
bæk
bāk
<abbr style="text-decoration: underline;" title="against / to" > against</abbr>
əgenst
ēgenst
the
ðə
dhē
wall
wɔ:l
vawl

Definition & Meaning of "one's back against the wall"in English

one's back against the wall
01

in a situation where one has little choice to do what they want or need to 

{one's} [back] (against|to) the wall definition and meaning
Idiom
Informal

What 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.

Examples
With their backs to the wall, the team accepted the smaller deal. 
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