背水一战 Fight with one's back to the water
Explanation
比喻在极其危急的情况下，不顾一切，决一死战。
It means to fight a battle in an extremely dangerous situation without any consideration for loss.
Origin Story
西汉时期，韩信率军与赵军对峙于井陉口。为了激励士气，韩信将士兵们安营扎寨在井陉口的一处狭窄地带，后面就是一道河，士兵们无路可退，只能背水一战。此举出乎赵军意料，赵军见此情景，以为韩信已无退路，士气低落，结果被韩信打得大败。
During the Western Han Dynasty, Han Xin's army confronted the Zhao army at Jingxingkou. To boost morale, Han Xin had his soldiers set up camp in a narrow area at Jingxingkou, behind which was a river. The soldiers had no way to retreat and could only fight to the death. This move surprised the Zhao army, who, seeing this situation, thought Han Xin had no way out. Their morale plummeted, and they were eventually defeated by Han Xin.
Usage
用作谓语、定语；形容在绝境中奋力拼搏。
Used as predicate or attributive; describes the vigorous struggle in a desperate situation.
Examples
-
面对强敌，他们决定背水一战，决一死战。
miàn duì qiángdí, tāmen juédìng bèishuǐ yī zhàn, juéyī sǐzhàn; gōngsī miànlín pòchǎn wēijī, yuángōngmen juédìng bèishuǐ yī zhàn, lì wǎn kuánglán
Faced with a strong enemy, they decided to fight a battle with their backs to the water, fighting to the death.
-
公司面临破产危机，员工们决定背水一战，力挽狂澜。
The company is facing a bankruptcy crisis, and employees have decided to fight a last stand, saving what can be saved.