rearguard action

n (usu the rearguard) [CGp] body of troops sent to guard the rear of an army, esp when it is retreating 後卫部队（尤指军队撤退时的）. Cf 参看 vanguard. `rearguard action 1 fight between an army in retreat and the enemy 後卫战斗（後撤的部队与敌军之间的战斗）. 2 (fig 比喻) struggle continued even when it is unlikely to succeed 即使无望取胜也要继续进行的斗争: The government is fighting a rearguard action against the mass of public opinion. 政府冒天下之大不韪负隅顽抗.

realizable, realisable, realization, realization, realisation, realize, realize, realise, really, realm, realpolitik, realtor, realty, ream, reap, reaper, reaping-hook, reappear, reappearance, reappraisal, rear, rear-admiral, rear-view mirror, rearm, rearmament, rearmost, rearrange, rearrangement, rearward, rearwards, reason, reason for, reasonable, reasonableness, reasonably, reasoned, reasoning, reassemble, reassess, reassessment, reassurance, reassure, reassuring,