on defense
idiom
sports
: on the part of a team that defends the goal
She began the season on defense, but her coach later put her on offense.
Examples of on defense in a Sentence
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With Robinson in drop coverage and Achiuwa, Anunoby and Bridges switching screens, the Knicks will have their bases covered, plus all four can serve as a back stop in case Brunson gets beat on defense.
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Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 2 Mar. 2025
The Sixers may try to protect him from wear-and-tear by primarily playing him in drop coverage on defense, but that won't always work, particularly once the playoffs roll around.
—Bryan Toporek, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
By some measures, Russia is already spending more on defense than Europe.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025
One of the ways Cole takes the lead is by rolling up his sleeves on defense.
—Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on defense
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Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 2 Mar. 2025
The Sixers may try to protect him from wear-and-tear by primarily playing him in drop coverage on defense, but that won't always work, particularly once the playoffs roll around.
—Bryan Toporek, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
By some measures, Russia is already spending more on defense than Europe.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025
One of the ways Cole takes the lead is by rolling up his sleeves on defense.
—Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on defense
Cite this Entry
“On defense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20defense. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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