on the defensive
1. 处于防御状态; 处于守势
He's on the defensive about his mistakes.
他为自己的错误辩解。
习惯用语assume the defensive1.采取守势be on the defensive1.进行防御; 采取守势stand on the defensive1.进行防御; 采取守势act on the defensive1.进行防御; 采取守势put on the defensive1.迫使采取守势throw on the defensive1.迫使采取守势