| 释义 |
idiomrearguardfight a rearguard actionto make a determined effort to prevent something from happening, even though you think it is too late to succeed:Malloy, his wife and daughters have been fighting a rearguard action to prevent their home from being destroyed by developers.Those who had fought a rearguard action against change in politics had seen the balance of power shift against them. (redirected from rearguard)
fight a rearguard actionTo try to stop something that likely cannot be prevented. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. I know we're probably fighting a rearguard action against the board with this petition, but it's worth a try. fight a rearguard action COMMON If you fight a rearguard action, you try hard to stop something happening when there is little possibility that you will succeed. Groups, both on the left and the right, are still fighting a rearguard action against the plan. Note: Other verbs are sometimes used instead of fight, such as mount and stage. The opposition party have mounted a desperate, rearguard action against economic reforms. Note: You can also just talk about a rearguard action. However, the rearguard action may prove too late. Note: The rearguard of a retreating army is a unit which separates from the rest and acts as a defence while the rest of the army is getting away. |