1.
You use ~ to describe things that are intended to protect someone or something.
The Government hastily organized ~ measures against the raids...
ADJ: usu ADJ n
2.
Someone who is ~ is behaving in a way that shows they feel unsure or threatened.
Like their children, parents are often ~ about their private lives.
ADJ
~ly
‘Oh, I know, I know,’ said Kate, ~ly.
ADV
~ness
He felt a certain ~ness about his position.
N-UNCOUNT
3.
If someone is on the ~, they are trying to protect themselves or their interests because they feel unsure or threatened.
Accusations are likely to put the other person on the ~...
PHRASE: usu v-link PHR, PHR after v
4.
In sports, ~ play is play that is intended to prevent your opponent from scoring goals or points against you.
I’d always played a ~ game, waiting for my opponent to make a mistake.
? attacking
ADJ: usu ADJ n
~ly
Mexico did not play ~ly.
ADV: ADV after v