Definition
This is a chengyu (four-character idiom) from the Han dynasty general Han Xin, who placed his army with their backs to a river — leaving no retreat — to force a desperate fight. It means to be in a do-or-die situation or to make a last stand, often used for any critical battle or decisive effort where there is no turning back.
f.e.
to fight with one's back against the walla desperate struggledo-or-die effort
Examples
- ，背水一战。Wǒmen yǐjīng méiyǒu tuìlù le, zhǐ néng bèi shuǐ yī zhàn.We have no way back; we can only fight with our backs against the wall.
- 背水一战，。Zhè chǎng bǐsài duì qiúduì lái shuō shì bèi shuǐ yī zhàn, shū le jiù táotài.This match is a do-or-die situation for the team — lose and you're out.
- ，背水一战，。Gōngsī miànlín pòchǎn, tā juédìng bèi shuǐ yī zhàn, tóurù quánbù zījīn.The company was facing bankruptcy, so he decided to make a desperate move and invest all his capital.
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