have one's back up
1have one's back to the wall — To be in a very difficult or desperate situation • • • Main Entry: ↑back …
2have one's back to the wall — idi have one s back to the wall, to be in a difficult or hopeless situation …
3have one's back to the wall — v. have no other options or alternatives …
4have a monkey on one's back — (US sl) To be addicted to drugs • • • Main Entry: ↑monkey …
5Behind one's back — Back Back (b[a^]k), n. [AS. b[ae]c, bac; akin to Icel., Sw., & LG. bak, Dan. bag; cf. OHG. bahho ham, Skr. bhaj to turn, OSlav. b[=e]g[u^] flight. Cf. {Bacon}.] 1. In human beings, the hinder part of the body, extending from the neck to the end… …
6To be on one's back — Back Back (b[a^]k), n. [AS. b[ae]c, bac; akin to Icel., Sw., & LG. bak, Dan. bag; cf. OHG. bahho ham, Skr. bhaj to turn, OSlav. b[=e]g[u^] flight. Cf. {Bacon}.] 1. In human beings, the hinder part of the body, extending from the neck to the end… …
7to get one's back up — Back Back (b[a^]k), n. [AS. b[ae]c, bac; akin to Icel., Sw., & LG. bak, Dan. bag; cf. OHG. bahho ham, Skr. bhaj to turn, OSlav. b[=e]g[u^] flight. Cf. {Bacon}.] 1. In human beings, the hinder part of the body, extending from the neck to the end… …
8To lie on one's back — Back Back (b[a^]k), n. [AS. b[ae]c, bac; akin to Icel., Sw., & LG. bak, Dan. bag; cf. OHG. bahho ham, Skr. bhaj to turn, OSlav. b[=e]g[u^] flight. Cf. {Bacon}.] 1. In human beings, the hinder part of the body, extending from the neck to the end… …
9To put one's back up — Back Back (b[a^]k), n. [AS. b[ae]c, bac; akin to Icel., Sw., & LG. bak, Dan. bag; cf. OHG. bahho ham, Skr. bhaj to turn, OSlav. b[=e]g[u^] flight. Cf. {Bacon}.] 1. In human beings, the hinder part of the body, extending from the neck to the end… …
10have a monkey on one’s back — tv. to have a drug addiction. (Drugs. Have got can replace have.) □ Gert has a monkey on her back. □ Do you think she wants to have a monkey on her back? …