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Definition of rearguard action noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

rearguard action

noun

/ˌrɪəɡɑːd ˈækʃn/

/ˌrɪrɡɑːrd ˈækʃn/

[usually singular]

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a struggle to change or stop something even when it is not likely that you will succeed
- They have been fighting a rearguard action for two years to stop their house being demolished.
Topics Difficulty and failurec2

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