fight with one's back to the city wall; make a last-ditch stand
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
to fight with one's back to the city wall; to make a last-ditch stand
literaryOriginally a military idiom describing a desperate, final battle in defense of one's city. Now used more broadly in business, sports, or competitive contexts to describe a do-or-die effort where all resources are committed for victory. Often implies high stakes and no retreat.
Miàn面
duì对
qiáng强
dà大
de的
duì对
shǒu手
，
wǒ我
men们
bié别
wú无
xuǎn选
zé择
，
wéi唯
yǒu有
bèi背
chéng城
jiè借
yī一
。
Facing a formidable opponent, we have no choice but to make a last-ditch stand.
Gōng公
sī司
jué决
dìng定
bèi背
chéng城
jiè借
yī一
，
tóu投
rù入
quán全
bù部
zī资
jīn金
jìn进
xíng行
zhè这
cì次
guān关
jiàn键
de的
yán研
fā发
。
The company decided to risk everything, investing all its capital into this crucial R&D project.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Jiào教
liàn练
gào告
sù诉
duì队
yuán员
men们
，
zhè这
jiāng将
shì是
bèi背
chéng城
jiè借
yī一
de的
yī一
zhàn战
，
bì必
xū须
quán全
lì力
yǐ以
fù赴
。
The coach told the players that this would be a do-or-die battle, and they must give it their all.