on the defensive
English
Prepositional phrase
on the defensive
- Prepared to defend or protect against criticism, attack or aggression.
- (sports) defending; playing a defensive game
- 2017 November 14, Phil McNulty, “England 0-0 Brazil”, in BBC News:
- Brazil's greater quality and assurance in possession meant England spent much of the game on the defensive.
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Antonyms
- on the attack
See also
- initiative
- tempo
- one step ahead
Further reading
- on the defensive at OneLook Dictionary Search