last-stand defense
nounUK /ˌlɑːst ˈstænd dɪˈfens/
US /ˌlæst ˈstænd dɪˈfens/
A last-stand defense is when a team or group fights hard to stop the other side even though they are losing.
The tired soldiers made a last-stand defense at the top of the hill.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. In sports, a final effort by a losing team to stop the other team from scoring.
Their last-stand defense kept the other team from scoring in the final minute.
3. A legal argument made at the very end of a case to avoid losing.
The lawyer's last-stand defense asked the jury for mercy.
4. Any final attempt to protect something important when failure seems likely.
The small town's last-stand defense saved the old library from being torn down.