on the defensive

Idioms  

1. Prepared for withstanding aggression or attack, as in The debate team's plan was to keep their opponents on the defensive, or This teacher put students on the defensive about their mistakes. [c. 1600]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

on the defensive

On any given play, players on the defensive line can drop back into coverage while defensive backs can fly in from unexpected angles.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026

With the hours ticking down to the closing ceremony, when Japan will hand over the baton to Doha, top officials were on the defensive.

From Barron's ● Oct. 4, 2026

For De Paula to stick in the majors, however, his development on the defensive side is going to be key.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2026

Buckingham Palace is "on the defensive", the i Paper reports.

From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2026

By the middle of 1985, the KGB had thrown the CIA on the defensive.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau

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