a)STOP something THAT IS HAPPENINGto make a determinedeffort to prevent a change that you think is bad, although it seems too late to stop it 竭力阻止,顽强抵抗
They have been fighting a rearguard action to stop a supermarket being built on the land.
fight a rearguard action• A rearguard action is being fought against the sale of the land for business development.• With their captain and inspiration, Roy Aitken, suspended, Saints seemed to have come prepared to fight a rearguard action.