On the defensive
Prepared for withstanding aggression or attack, as in The debate team’s plan was to keep their opponents on the defensive, or This teacher put students on the defensive about their mistakes. [ c. 1600 ]
Read Also:
- On the draw
Related Terms slow on the draw
- On the eve of
Just prior to, as in On the eve of the conference the main speaker backed out. This expression uses eve, literally “the night before,” more loosely. [ Late 1700s ]
- On the fire
adjective phrase
- On the front burner
adjective phrase Getting immediate attention (1970+)
- On the gravy train
adverb phrase Enjoying an effortless and prosperous life; flush: After a couple of years on the gravy train the bottom fell out of things (1927+)