REARGUARD ACTION Meaning and
Definition
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Rearguard action refers to a military strategy or maneuver undertaken by a retreating force when faced with overwhelming opposition or during a tactical withdrawal. It involves a defensive operation launched by the rear echelons of an army or a smaller contingent of soldiers left behind to fend off pursuing enemy forces while the main body retreats or regroups. Doing so allows the retreating force to maintain a semblance of order, preserve its assets, and limit the enemy's advances.
In a larger context, rearguard action can also be used metaphorically to describe efforts made to defend or protect an organization, idea, or position against encroachments or criticisms. It typically involves resisting changes or challenges and striving to maintain established practices, policies, or beliefs. This term is often invoked when someone defends a losing, controversial, or outdated cause.
Furthermore, rearguard action can extend beyond the military and organizational realms to describe actions taken to mitigate or minimize the damage or impact of a negative event or situation. It involves defensive measures, either literal or metaphorical, taken to safeguard one's position, reputation, or interests against potential harm. This may include employing legal strategies, public relations maneuvers, or any other means to mitigate the fallout or negative consequences of a particular event or circumstance.
Common Misspellings for REARGUARD ACTION
- eearguard action
- dearguard action
- fearguard action
- tearguard action
- 5earguard action
- 4earguard action
- rwarguard action
- rsarguard action
- rdarguard action
- rrarguard action
- r4arguard action
- r3arguard action
- rezrguard action
- resrguard action
- rewrguard action
- reqrguard action
- reaeguard action
- readguard action
- reafguard action
- reatguard action
Etymology of REARGUARD ACTION
The word "rearguard action" has its origins in military terminology.
The term "rearguard" refers to the group of soldiers positioned at the rear or back of an army or military unit to protect it from a rear attack. The word "rear" comes from the Middle English "rer", which means "the hind part".
The word "action" in this context refers to a military engagement or combat. It comes from the Latin word "actio", which means "a doing, a performance, or a display".
The combination of "rearguard" and "action" represents the defensive actions taken by soldiers stationed at the rear to fend off an enemy attack from behind while the rest of the army advances or retreats. Therefore, the etymology of "rearguard action" is derived from the military strategy of protecting the rear of an army during combat.
Idioms with the word REARGUARD ACTION
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fight a rearguard action
To "fight a rearguard action" is an idiom used to describe a defensive or delaying tactic employed by someone or a group of people who are facing an inevitable defeat or a difficult situation. It originates from military terminology, where a rearguard is a defensive force positioned at the back of an army or a group during a retreat. In a broader context, fighting a rearguard action implies making a determined effort to protect oneself, one's interests, or one's ideas despite unfavorable circumstances and the likelihood of ultimate failure.
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