Eliezer Yudkowsky

Let the winds of evidence blow you about as though you are a leaf, with no direction of your own. Beware lest you fight a rearguard retreat against the evidence, grudgingly conceding each foot of ground only when forced, feeling cheated. Surrender to the truth as quickly as you can.

American Writer

David Olusoga

The refusal to accept that the black presence in Britain has a long and deep history is not just a symptom of racism, it is a form of racism. It is part of a rearguard and increasingly unsustainable defence of a fantasy monochrome version of British history.

British Historian

Hugh Mackay

The question is, will we continue to fight what may be a rearguard action to defend universal literacy as a central goal of our education system, or are we bold enough to see what's actually happening to our culture?

Australian Scientist

Originally refers to the last unit in a military formation, protecting from behind.

Military Origin

Used to describe the group at the back in any organized movement or process.

Group Movement

Doesn't always involve an actual army, can refer to any trailing part of a group.

Not Literal

Focuses on the effort to prevent something from happening or to uphold a position.

Resistance Effort

Expresses a final attempt to defend or uphold something against odds.

Last Stand

Suggests an action taken to protect something, often in a strategic or emergency context.

Defensive Action

 the all-clear as well as watching for trouble ahead there is also a rearguard at the first

Rearguard