So, when someone says “I’m up against a wall”, they mean they are out of options as to what to do.

for example, if i was broke, had debt collectors on my back and no way to get the money, i would be up against a wall.

They have to no place else to back into; possibilities have run out; there are no other options; they feel pressured with no means of escape.

They want:

YOU to give them space.

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“with your back up against the wall”

When we are in a defensive position and have to make choices that we would not like to make, we say that we have our “back up against the wall”. The wall represents an external force that causes us to act in a way that we would not like. This force may also prevent us from acting when we would like to. “I’m sorry I can’t help you; I’ve got my back up against the wall.”