on/onto the deˈfensiveacting in a way that shows that you expect to be attacked or criticized; having to defend yourself处于防御姿态；处于戒备状态；采取守势Their questions about the money put her on the defensive.他们问到钱的问题时，她就警觉起来。Warnings of an enemy attack forced the troops onto the defensive.敌军显示出进攻的迹象，部队不得不进入戒备状态。 |