Example
“With the lawsuit and the frozen account, we had our backs against the wall.”
Dictionary details
Related idioms
Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.
circle back
Informal · CEFR B1
to return to a topic or person later, after other things have happened
drive someone up the wall
Informal · CEFR B1
to make someone feel extremely annoyed or frustrated
the writing on the wall
Neutral · CEFR B1
clear and unmistakable signs that failure or disaster is coming
break the back of
Neutral · CEFR B2
to get past the main obstacle so that the remaining work becomes easier
throw it at the wall and see what sticks
Informal · CEFR B2
to try many ideas quickly, keeping only the ones that work
go to the wall
Neutral · CEFR C1
collapse or fail completely, particularly as a business or financial venture
Source methodology
Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.