he had a weak case and could not defend himself he had to resort to sophistry
Related Translations:
理屈词穷: be condemned out of one's own mouth; be condemned on one's own showing; be unable to advance any further arguments to justify oneself; fall silent on finding oneself bested in argument; fi
求助于: appeal to forappeal to(court/master)beg a favour offall back on uponfall back uponhave recourse toresortseek helpturn to sb for helpturn to(sb/sth)