on the offensive

idiom

: in or into a situation or position in which one attacks or fights against someone or something
The soldiers are on the offensive.
She went on the offensive to fight the charges against her.

Examples of on the offensive in a Sentence

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There’s work to do, and most of it is on the offensive side. Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 2 June 2025 Of course, the rumors surrounding Pittsburgh on the offensive side of the football have not died down. Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 May 2025 Meanwhile, his biggest star player on the offensive side, wide receiver Tyreek Hill, is still recovering from offseason wrist surgery. David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 28 May 2025 Big players make big plays in big games, and the Terps don’t have any alphas on the offensive side of the ball. Mike Preston, Baltimore Sun, 26 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for on the offensive

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Cite this Entry

“On the offensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20offensive. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.

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