to have your back against the wall - idiom meaning?

Question

What is the meaning of "to have your back against the wall" idiom?

Answer 1

Idiom Scenario 1:

A husband and wife are talking about paying the bills ...

Wife: What are we going to do? The mortgage is due tomorrow.
Husband: Is there any money left in the checking account?
Wife: No!
Husband: How about in the savings account?
Wife: Nothing!
Husband: Well, our backs are against the wall. We'll have to use our emergency money. We really have no other choice.

 

 

Answer 2

Idiom Scenario 2:

Percy is normally a docile good-natured dog. He loves his owners. Percy never chases cats. Percy rarely even barks. He is very gentle and good with children.
One day, Percy's family was threatened by a lion. Percy had his back against the wall. He had no choice but to attack the lion.

 

Answer 3

Idiom Usage:

My back is against the wall!
Your back is against the wall!
His back is against the wall!
Her back is against the wall!
Its back is against the wall!
Our backs are against the wall!
Your backs are against the wall!
Their backs are against the wall!
Alternate:

back to the wall

 

Answer 4

 

Idiom Conjugations:

 

Answer 5

Gerund Form of the Idiom:

Having your back to the wall may cause you to display desperate behaviors.
 

Answer 6

Idiom Definition:

"to have your back against the wall"

to be in a desperate situation with not many options available

Synonyms: anguish, anxiety, dejection, despair, desperate, despondency, discomfort, distress, fear, gloom, heartache, melancholy, trouble, worry