on the defensive

In a state of readiness, willingness, and preparedness to defend oneself against aggression, criticism, or attack. He went on the defensive when we started questioning the originality of his work. She always puts me on the defensive with the accusatory way she talks to me. The home team is on the defensive now as their cross-town rivals try to push for a touchdown in the final minutes of the game.

See also: defensive, on

onto the defensive

In a state of readiness, willingness, and preparedness to defend oneself against aggression, criticism, or attack. He went onto the defensive when we started questioning the originality of his work. She always puts me onto the defensive with the accusatory way she talks to me. The home team was forced onto the defensive now as their cross-town rivals try to push for a touchdown in the final minutes of the game.

on the defensive

weary and ready to defend oneself. John goes on the defensive when his athletic ability is questioned. The child was on the defensive when questioned about cheating.

See also: defensive, on

on the defensive

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]

See also: defensive, on

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

on/onto the deˈfensive

acting in a way that shows that you expect to be attacked or criticized; having to defend yourself: Their questions about the money put her on the defensive. ♢ Warnings of an enemy attack forced the troops onto the defensive. OPPOSITE: on the offensive

See also: defensive, on

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

on the defensive

Prepared to withstand or counter aggression or attack.

See also: defensive, on

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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References in periodicals archive

Grafted hard defensively but hooked before the hour was out.

Man by Man

BET of the week Bolton are defensively sound, and they are 18/5 with BetVictor to beat Peterborough to nil

City still ahead in race for title

"I'm happy with what we have defensively. It's not about quality, it's about sharpness.

Ron: My CL fear; RONNY'S WARNING

Angel Diaz played a strong game defensively for Grafton.

Juniors get job done for Rams

Yet it was anything but easy as the Blues, who won 3-0 at Upton Park in November, found West Ham to be defensively resilient and organised, while also posing an early threat.

Hammers give Mourinho's men the Blues

If you want to win titles, if you want to travel anywhere, you have to be strong defensively.

AN UNSUNG HERO WHO MOPS UP

Defensively Valley have struggled to keep their goal intact, which is emphasised by the record of 23 conceded in their last eight outings, including Saturday's 2-1 home defeat to Beaconsfield SYCOB where a late penalty proved to be a stunning setback for Stringer's charges.

Valley continue to pay penalty; EVO-STIK ONE CENTRAL

"We can't be too disappointed because we were poor defensively," he added.

Boss dismayed at state of pitch

"I thought we were defensively outstanding and aside from their try on a charge down from a kick, I can't remember us being broken.

Smith's 'fantastic' Wolves pounce on the Wildcats

The Heat dominated the second half defensively, limiting the Magic to just 25 points to turn a narrow six point halftime lead into a comfortable victory.

Heat rout Magic as "Big Three" inspire big win

Defensively, only four starters return from a unit that could, if projections hold, see five players drafted by NFL teams.

It's again time to look at bowl picture and beyond

Facing the challenge of liability in psychotherapy; practicing defensively, 2d ed.

Facing the challenge of liability in psychotherapy; practicing defensively, 2d ed. (CD-ROM included)

We went 9-3 and finished second defensively in our conference with a 175.5 yards allowed per game average, surrendering only 9 points per game, and leading our region in run defense.

Installing the Bear or 46 defense from the 3-3

In another experiment to test the use of the toxin defensively, the researchers fed flatworms to wild fish.

Killer flatworms hunt with poison