ON / ONTO THE DEFENSIVE


Meaning of ON / ONTO THE DEFENSIVE in English

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.

Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне.