defensive 30秒で
- The noun 'defensive' refers to a protective state or position, usually used in the phrase 'on the defensive'.
- It describes both physical protection (sports/military) and psychological protection (reacting to criticism).
- Commonly paired with verbs like 'go', 'be', or 'put' to describe shifts in conflict or conversation.
- At an A1 level, it simply means 'trying to stay safe' or 'making excuses because you feel blamed'.
The term defensive, when used as a noun, primarily refers to a state or position of being ready to protect oneself from an attack, criticism, or blame. While we often think of 'defensive' as an adjective (e.g., a defensive player), its noun usage is almost exclusively found in the idiomatic phrase 'on the defensive'. In this context, it describes a psychological or tactical posture where an individual feels vulnerable and reacts by justifying their actions or shielding themselves from perceived hostility.
- The Psychological State
- This occurs when a person feels judged or accused. Instead of listening openly, they might become 'defensive,' meaning they enter a state of 'the defensive' where they provide excuses or counter-attack to deflect blame.
- The Tactical Position
- In sports or military contexts, being on the defensive means you are not the one attacking; you are reacting to the opponent's moves to prevent them from scoring or advancing.
"When the manager questioned his sales figures, Mark immediately went on the defensive, explaining that the market was down for everyone."
To understand this word at an A1 level, think of a shield. If you are 'on the defensive,' you are holding up your shield because you think someone is throwing stones (words or actions) at you. It is a protective stance. In a conversation, if someone says 'Don't be so defensive,' they are telling you to put your shield down and listen without feeling like you are being attacked.
"The army was forced onto the defensive after the surprise midnight raid."
- Common Collocation
- 'Put someone on the defensive' means to say or do something that makes them feel they need to defend themselves.
In social dynamics, being on the defensive can sometimes be seen as a sign of guilt, even if the person is innocent. This is because the act of over-explaining or reacting strongly can make others think you have something to hide. However, it is also a very natural human reaction to protect one's ego or reputation. In professional settings, staying off the defensive is often considered a key part of emotional intelligence.
"The team spent the entire second half on the defensive, barely crossing the halfway line."
Furthermore, the noun 'defensive' can be used in abstract ways. For example, in a debate, a politician might be 'on the defensive' regarding their environmental record. This means they are spending their time answering tough questions rather than presenting their own new ideas. It is a reactive state rather than a proactive one.
"Her constant criticism put him on the defensive every time they met for coffee."
- Etymology Note
- Derived from the Latin 'defensivus,' which relates to 'defendere' (to ward off). The noun usage evolved to describe the posture itself.
"The company went on the defensive after the news of the data breach broke."
Using 'defensive' as a noun requires understanding specific sentence structures. Unlike the adjective, which modifies a noun (e.g., 'defensive strategy'), the noun 'defensive' is a destination or a state. You don't just 'have' defensive; you are 'on' the defensive or you 'go on' the defensive.
1. The 'On the Defensive' Pattern
This is the most common way to use the word. It describes a current state. Structure: [Subject] + [be verb] + on the defensive.
- "He is on the defensive because he knows he made a mistake."
- "The government is on the defensive over the new tax laws."
2. The 'Go on the Defensive' Pattern
This describes a change in state—moving from a neutral or attacking position into a protective one. Structure: [Subject] + [go/went] + on the defensive.
- "As soon as I mentioned the budget, she went on the defensive."
- "The cat went on the defensive when the dog approached its food."
3. The 'Put Someone on the Defensive' Pattern
This is a transitive usage where one person causes another to feel attacked. Structure: [Subject] + put + [Object] + on the defensive.
- "The lawyer's sharp questions put the witness on the defensive."
- "Don't put me on the defensive; I'm just trying to help!"
In writing, using 'the defensive' can add a layer of sophistication to your descriptions of conflict. Instead of saying 'He started protecting himself,' saying 'He went on the defensive' implies a more complex psychological reaction. It suggests that the person feels under siege.
"The chess player was forced onto the defensive after losing his queen early in the game."
In professional emails, you might see this used to describe market positions. 'Our company is currently on the defensive regarding market share' means the company is trying to keep what it has rather than trying to grow or attack competitors. It's a conservative, protective stance.
The noun 'defensive' is a staple in several specific environments. Understanding these contexts will help you recognize the nuance of the word when you encounter it in the wild.
1. Sports Commentary
This is perhaps the most literal use. You will hear commentators say things like, 'The Lakers are on the defensive now.' This means they are defending their basket while the other team has the ball. It describes the phase of the game.
2. Political News
Journalists often use this term to describe how politicians react to scandals or difficult questions. 'The Prime Minister was on the defensive during today's press conference.' This implies the PM was spending all their time justifying their actions rather than leading the conversation.
3. Workplace Dynamics
In office settings, HR professionals or managers might use it during conflict resolution. 'We noticed that the team went on the defensive when the new procedures were introduced.' Here, it refers to a resistance to change born out of fear or feeling criticized.
4. Legal and Courtroom Dramas
In movies or TV shows about lawyers, you'll hear about 'putting the defendant on the defensive.' This is a strategy to make the person being questioned look guilty or nervous by bombarding them with accusations.
"In the debate, the incumbent was clearly on the defensive regarding the rising inflation rates."
You might also hear it in everyday arguments between friends or partners. 'Why are you getting so defensive?' is a common (and often inflammatory) question. Even though 'defensive' here is an adjective, it stems from the noun concept of being in that protective state.
Because 'defensive' is so commonly used as an adjective, learners often make mistakes when trying to use it as a noun. Here are the most frequent errors to avoid.
1. Forgetting the Article 'The'
You cannot say 'He is on defensive.' It must be 'He is on the defensive.' The noun form is almost always part of this specific prepositional phrase.
2. Confusing 'Defensive' (Noun) with 'Defense' (Noun)
This is the most common point of confusion. 'Defense' is the general concept or the group of people (e.g., 'The team has a strong defense'). 'The defensive' is the state or position. You wouldn't say 'He is on the defense' to mean he is feeling criticized; you would say 'He is on the defensive.'
- Incorrect
- "The army is in a defensive."
- Correct
- "The army is on the defensive."
3. Using the Wrong Preposition
Learners often try 'in the defensive' or 'at the defensive.' The correct preposition is almost always 'on'. Think of it as standing on a line of defense.
4. Overusing it for Physical Objects
Don't use the noun 'defensive' to describe a physical shield or wall. For that, use 'defense' or 'defensive structure'. 'The defensive' is about the situation or the psychological state.
"Wrong: The castle has a strong defensive."
"Right: The castle has a strong defense."
While 'the defensive' is a unique idiomatic noun, there are several related words and phrases that share its semantic space. Understanding these can help you choose the right word for the right situation.
1. Defense (Noun)
The most direct relative. 'Defense' is the broad category. 'The defensive' is a specific posture within that category. You play 'defense,' but you are 'on the defensive' when you are losing or being attacked.
2. Guard (Noun)
If someone is 'on their guard,' it is very similar to being 'on the defensive.' However, 'on guard' usually means being alert to danger before it happens, while 'on the defensive' usually means reacting to an attack that is already happening.
3. Resistance (Noun)
Being on the defensive often involves resistance. If a company is on the defensive against a takeover, they are offering resistance to the buyer's efforts.
- Comparison
- On the defensive: Reacting to criticism.
On the offensive: Attacking or taking the lead.
4. Justification (Noun)
When someone is on the defensive psychologically, they are often providing justifications. While not a synonym, 'justification' is the primary action of someone in a defensive state.
"Instead of an apology, we got a long list of justifications as he went on the defensive."
How Formal Is It?
難易度
知っておくべき文法
Prepositional phrases with 'on'
The use of 'the' with abstract nouns
Gerunds as subjects (Being on the defensive...)
Transitive verbs (put someone on...)
Stative vs Dynamic verbs with 'on the defensive'
レベル別の例文
He is on the defensive.
Il est sur la défensive.
Subject + be + on the defensive.
Don't be on the defensive.
Ne sois pas sur la défensive.
Imperative negative.
The cat is on the defensive.
Le chat est sur la défensive.
Simple present.
Why are you on the defensive?
Pourquoi es-tu sur la défensive ?
Question form.
She went on the defensive.
Elle s'est mise sur la défensive.
Past tense of 'go'.
I am not on the defensive!
Je ne suis pas sur la défensive !
Negative statement.
They are on the defensive today.
Ils sont sur la défensive aujourd'hui.
Plural subject.
Stop being on the defensive.
Arrête d'être sur la défensive.
Gerund after 'stop'.
The team was on the defensive for the whole game.
L'équipe était sur la défensive pendant tout le match.
Past continuous sense.
He put me on the defensive with his question.
Il m'a mis sur la défensive avec sa question.
Verb 'put' + object + phrase.
She always goes on the defensive when I talk about money.
Elle se met toujours sur la défensive quand je parle d'argent.
Present simple for habit.
It is hard to talk when you are on the defensive.
Il est difficile de parler quand on est sur la défensive.
Infinitive phrase.
The dog went on the defensive when it saw the stranger.
Le chien s'est mis sur la défensive quand il a vu l'étranger.
Time clause with 'when'.
Are you on the defensive because of what I said?
Es-tu sur la défensive à cause de ce que j'ai dit ?
Prepositional phrase 'because of'.
The player stayed on the defensive to save energy.
Le joueur est resté sur la défensive pour économiser de l'énergie.
Infinitive of purpose.
Try not to put her on the defensive.
Essaie de ne pas la mettre sur la défensive.
Negative infinitive.
The manager's criticism put the entire department on the defensive.
La critique du manager a mis tout le département sur la défensive.
Collective noun as object.
Instead of listening, he immediately went on the defensive.
Au lieu d'écouter, il s'est immédiatement mis sur la défensive.
Contrast with 'instead of'.
The company is on the defensive after the bad reviews.
L'entreprise est sur la défensive après les mauvaises critiques.
Status after an event.
I didn't mean to put you on the defensive; I was just curious.
Je ne voulais pas te mettre sur la défensive ; j'étais juste curieux.
Perfective aspect 'didn't mean'.
The politician was on the defensive throughout the interview.
Le politicien était sur la défensive tout au long de l'interview.
Preposition 'throughout'.
Being on the defensive can prevent you from learning from mistakes.
Être sur la défensive peut vous empêcher d'apprendre de vos erreurs.
Gerund as subject.
The army was forced on the defensive by the enemy's advance.
L'armée a été forcée à se mettre sur la défensive par l'avance de l'ennemi.
Passive voice.
Her tone of voice always puts people on the defensive.
Son ton de voix met toujours les gens sur la défensive.
Present simple for general truth.
The witness was clearly on the defensive during the cross-examination.
Le témoin était manifestement sur la défensive pendant le contre-interrogatoire.
Adverbial modification 'clearly'.
The tech giant is on the defensive regarding its privacy policies.
Le géant de la technologie est sur la défensive concernant ses politiques de confidentialité.
Preposition 'regarding'.
The coach decided to stay on the defensive for the final ten minutes.
L'entraîneur a décidé de rester sur la défensive pendant les dix dernières minutes.
Decision-making verb.
His refusal to admit error put him permanently on the defensive.
Son refus d'admettre son erreur l'a mis en permanence sur la défensive.
Abstract subject.
The brand went on the defensive, launching a massive PR campaign.
La marque s'est mise sur la défensive, lançant une campagne de relations publiques massive.
Participle clause for simultaneous action.
It's a common psychological trait to go on the defensive when challenged.
C'est un trait psychologique commun de se mettre sur la défensive quand on est défié.
Expletive 'it' construction.
The government's spokesperson was put on the defensive by the leaked documents.
Le porte-parole du gouvernement a été mis sur la défensive par les documents divulgués.
Passive with agent 'by'.
They were on the defensive from the very start of the negotiations.
Ils étaient sur la défensive dès le tout début des négociations.
Emphasis with 'very start'.
The incumbent's campaign was forced onto the defensive by a series of scandals.
La campagne du sortant a été forcée à se mettre sur la défensive par une série de scandales.
Use of 'onto' for movement into a state.
A skillful debater knows how to put their opponent on the defensive without appearing aggressive.
Un débatteur habile sait comment mettre son adversaire sur la défensive sans paraître agressif.
Complex sentence with 'how to'.
The central bank has been on the defensive, trying to justify its interest rate hikes.
La banque centrale est sur la défensive, essayant de justifier ses hausses de taux d'intérêt.
Present perfect continuous state.
The narrative shifted, and suddenly the protagonist was on the defensive.
Le récit a changé, et soudain le protagoniste était sur la défensive.
Narrative shift description.
The company's legal team remained on the defensive throughout the litigation process.
L'équipe juridique de l'entreprise est restée sur la défensive tout au long du processus de litige.
Stative verb 'remained'.
His defensive was so ingrained that he couldn't even accept a compliment.
Sa posture défensive était si ancrée qu'il ne pouvait même pas accepter un compliment.
Noun usage as a character trait (rare/literary).
The city's walls were built for the defensive, but they also served as a symbol of power.
Les murs de la ville ont été construits pour la défense, mais ils servaient aussi de symbole de puissance.
Purpose phrase 'for the defensive'.
By putting the media on the defensive, the leader managed to control the news cycle.
En mettant les médias sur la défensive, le leader a réussi à contrôler le cycle de l'actualité.
Gerund phrase of means.
The philosophical treatise places the reader on the defensive from the opening paragraph.
Le traité philosophique met le lecteur sur la défensive dès le premier paragraphe.
Abstract literary usage.
The empire, once expansive, found itself perpetually on the defensive against nomadic incursions.
L'empire, autrefois expansif, se retrouva perpétuellement sur la défensive contre les incursions nomades.
Appositive phrase and adverbial 'perpetually'.
There is a fine line between a robust explanation and going on the defensive.
Il y a une ligne ténue entre une explication robuste et le fait de se mettre sur la défensive.
Noun phrase comparison.
The CEO's reticence was interpreted as being on the defensive, further damaging investor confidence.
La réticence du PDG a été interprétée comme une mise sur la défensive, nuisant davantage à la confiance des investisseurs.
Passive interpretation clause.
The military strategy shifted from the offensive to a desperate defensive.
La stratégie militaire est passée de l'offensive à une défensive désespérée.
Noun contrast with 'the offensive'.
Her psychological defensive was a byproduct of years of professional rivalry.
Sa posture défensive psychologique était un sous-produit d'années de rivalité professionnelle.
Noun as subject with possessive.
To remain on the defensive in such a volatile market is to invite obsolescence.
Rester sur la défensive dans un marché aussi volatil, c'est s'exposer à l'obsolescence.
Conditional/Infinitive as subject.
The defendant's counsel skillfully avoided being put on the defensive by the prosecution's tactics.
L'avocat de la défense a habilement évité d'être mis sur la défensive par les tactiques de l'accusation.
Passive gerund after 'avoided'.
類義語
よく使う組み合わせ
よく使うフレーズ
よく混同される語
慣用句と表現
間違えやすい
文型パターン
使い方
Often slightly critical in social contexts.
It implies a reaction to an external force.
- Saying 'in the defensive' instead of 'on'.
- Using 'defensive' as a noun to mean a physical wall.
- Forgetting the 'the' in the phrase.
- Confusing it with the person (the defendant).
- Using it to mean 'attacking' by mistake.
ヒント
Use 'The'
Always include 'the' before 'defensive' when using it as a noun.
Pair with 'Go'
Use 'go on the defensive' to show a sudden change in someone's mood.
Avoid in Arguments
Telling someone 'Don't be on the defensive' usually makes them more defensive!
Tactical Use
Use it to describe a team that is just trying not to lose.
Show, Don't Tell
Instead of saying someone is scared, say they 'went on the defensive'.
Stress
Put the emphasis on 'FEN': de-FEN-sive.
Fixed Phrase
Treat 'on the defensive' as one single unit of meaning.
Feedback
In meetings, try to stay 'off the defensive' to show you are professional.
Context Clues
If you hear 'on the...', listen for 'defensive' to understand the conflict.
Shield Image
Visualize a shield whenever you hear this word.
暗記しよう
語源
Latin
文化的な背景
Being on the defensive is seen as a sign of a failing strategy.
It is a key term in couples therapy to describe communication barriers.
実生活で練習する
実際の使用場面
会話のきっかけ
"Why do people go on the defensive during arguments?"
"Is it better to be on the offensive or the defensive in chess?"
"Have you ever put someone on the defensive by mistake?"
"How do you stay calm and off the defensive when criticized?"
"When is being on the defensive a good strategy?"
日記のテーマ
Describe a time you went on the defensive. Why did you feel attacked?
Write about a sports game where a team stayed on the defensive.
How can you tell if a politician is on the defensive?
What are three ways to avoid putting others on the defensive?
Is 'the defensive' a place of strength or weakness? Explain.
よくある質問
10 問No, it is more commonly an adjective. As a noun, it's mostly in 'on the defensive'.
No, the correct idiom is always 'on the defensive'.
Defense is the general concept; 'the defensive' is the specific state of being under attack.
In sports, it's a tactic. In social life, it usually means you are not listening well.
You can say 'He went on the defensive when I asked about his work.'
The concept is simple (A1), but the idiomatic usage is usually B1+.
The opposite is 'on the offensive'.
Yes, animals go on the defensive when they feel threatened by predators.
Not exactly, but people who are on the defensive often look angry or annoyed.
Usually, we use 'defense' for buildings, but 'the defensive' can describe its military state.
自分をテスト 180 問
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
The word 'defensive' as a noun is almost always part of the idiom 'on the defensive.' It describes a reactive, protective stance taken when one feels under attack, whether in a physical battle, a sports match, or a verbal argument.
- The noun 'defensive' refers to a protective state or position, usually used in the phrase 'on the defensive'.
- It describes both physical protection (sports/military) and psychological protection (reacting to criticism).
- Commonly paired with verbs like 'go', 'be', or 'put' to describe shifts in conflict or conversation.
- At an A1 level, it simply means 'trying to stay safe' or 'making excuses because you feel blamed'.
Use 'The'
Always include 'the' before 'defensive' when using it as a noun.
Pair with 'Go'
Use 'go on the defensive' to show a sudden change in someone's mood.
Avoid in Arguments
Telling someone 'Don't be on the defensive' usually makes them more defensive!
Tactical Use
Use it to describe a team that is just trying not to lose.
例文
This is an example with defensive.
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