with one's back to the wall 處境艱難
【講解】
該習語從字面上理解就是“背靠在墻上”。wall在該習語中實際上喻指“某人已經沒有了退路”。該習語往往用來形容某人處境艱難。
【對話】
A:It's too bad, I'm with my back to the wall.
A:太糟了,我真是四面楚歌了。
B:What's wrong with you?
B:怎么了?
A:I failed the exam again, and I can't graduate this term.
A:我考試又沒及格,這學期畢不了業了。
B:Don't lose heart. Believe me, things will look up.
B:別灰心,相信我,事情會好起來的。