rearguard action
noun [ C or U ] uk/ˈrɪə.ɡɑːd ˌæk.ʃən/ us/ˈrɪr.ɡɑːrd ˌæk.ʃən/
最后一搏;顽抗到底;竭尽全力
a final attempt to prevent something from happening
The unions were determined to fight a rearguard action against the government's plans to strip them of their powers. 各工会下定决心作最后一搏，以抗拒政府剥夺其权力的计划。