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.