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on the defensive. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
on the defensive, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
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English
Prepositional phrase
on the defensive
- Prepared to defend or protect against criticism, attack or aggression.
1982 December 11, Frances Russell, “Economic performance buoys Pawley’s position”, in The Vancouver Sun (The Weekend Sun), Vancouver, BC, page A6:Last year, despite winning 34 of the legislature’s 57 seats with 47 per cent of the popular vote, the NDP was on the defensive almost from the start.
- (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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