be on the defensive
表示处于防御、辩解或戒备的状态，常作表语。
She felt she had to be on the defensive whenever he questioned her.
每当他质疑她时，她觉得自己不得不处于守势。
防御的手段、态度或立场。主要用于“处于防御状态”中。；防御态度(尤用于短语“处于守势”)；防卫姿势；防卫物
an attitude or position of defense, especially in the phrase 'on the defensive'
多用于短语 on the defensive 中
防御的手段、态度或立场。主要用于“处于防御状态”中。
A means, attitude or position of defense. Chiefly in on the defensive.
防御态度(尤用于短语“处于守势”)
an attitude of defensiveness (especially in the phrase `on the defensive')
During the debate, he was forced onto the defensive by his opponent's sharp questions.
在辩论中，他被对手尖锐的问题迫使采取防御态势。
用法提示：短语'on the defensive'表示处于防御状态。
The team spent the entire second half on the defensive, trying to protect their lead.
球队整个下半场都处于防守状态，试图保护他们的领先优势。
用法提示：短语'on the defensive'表示防守姿态。
When criticized, she immediately went on the defensive, justifying every decision.
面对批评，她立即进入防御模式，为每个决定辩护。
用法提示：短语'on the defensive'表示采取防御态度。
表示处于防御、辩解或戒备的状态，常作表语。
She felt she had to be on the defensive whenever he questioned her.
每当他质疑她时，她觉得自己不得不处于守势。
表示使某人进入防御或戒备状态，sb 可替换为具体宾语。
His sharp questions put me on the defensive.
他尖锐的提问让我处于守势。
表示开始采取防守或戒备姿态，强调状态的转变。
The team went on the defensive after scoring the first goal.
球队攻入第一球后转入了防守。
最直接的同义词，但略为抽象，通常指心理状态。
更广泛，可指行动或策略，不特指态度。
强调警惕性，常用于身体或心理上的防备。
侧重于免受伤害，不强调对抗性。
比喻性较强，常用于抽象防护。
grammar · medium
易错句子After the criticism, the manager went in the defensive.
正确表达After the criticism, the manager went on the defensive.
固定短语是 on the defensive，表示“处于守势”。介词只能用 on，不能用 in；汉语“处于防御状态”容易让人误用 in。
grammar · medium
易错句子She is always on defensive when you ask about her family.
正确表达She is always on the defensive when you ask about her family.
该短语必须带定冠词 the，即 on the defensive。汉语没有冠词，学习者容易漏掉 the。
grammar · medium
易错句子The country's defensive has been weakened by budget cuts.
正确表达The country's defense has been weakened by budget cuts.
defensive 作名词时几乎只用于 on the defensive，表示“守势、防御态度”，不泛指“防御、防守”这一概念；表示“防御（措施）”应用名词 defense。
与名词defensive（防御态度）相对，指主动出击的态度
处于防御状态
The company remained on the defensive during the takeover attempt.
公司在收购企图期间一直处于防御状态。
转入防御
When criticized, he tends to go on the defensive.
受到批评时，他往往会转入防御。
使某人处于防御状态
Her sharp questions put him on the defensive.
她尖锐的问题使他处于防御状态。
保持防御
The army remained on the defensive throughout the campaign.
军队在整个战役中保持防御。
迫使某人防御
The aggressive marketing forced competitors on the defensive.
激进的营销迫使竞争对手处于防御状态。
-sive
-sive
-sive
-sive
-sive
-sive
de- (away) + fens (strike) + -ive (adjective suffix)
de- (away) + fend (strike)
批评常引发防御态度
防御性常伴随辩解行为
防御的核心是保护自己
脆弱感导致防御心态
面对威胁时容易采取防御姿态
处于防御状态；采取守势
The team was on the defensive for most of the game.
这支球队在大部分比赛中都处于防守状态。
使某人处于守势；使某人辩解
Her sharp questions put him on the defensive.
她尖锐的问题使他不得不为自己辩解。
转为防御；开始辩解
When criticized, he tends to go on the defensive.
受到批评时，他往往会变得防卫起来。
Choose the next layer that will help you use defensive with more confidence.
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