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
Recent Examples on the Web
The cops, including the corrupt Officer Powell (Hamish Allan-Headley), had already gotten to the witness, who changes his tune and throws Hector’s fate into jeopardy.
Matt decides to go on the offensive to get Hector free.
—
Jordan Moreau, Variety, 12 Mar. 2025
Ukrainian soldiers said the lack of intelligence was especially problematic in the Kursk region of Russia, where Russian and North Korean soldiers are on the offensive and have rapidly advanced.
—arkansasonline.com, 11 Mar. 2025
UConn maintained the pressure with another three turnovers in the first five minutes of the second quarter, but the defensive effort didn’t seem to tire the Huskies on the offensive end.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2025
Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for The New York Times Media Matters, the liberal watchdog organization that billionaire Elon Musk has sued in multiple lawsuits around the world, is going on the offensive.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on the offensive
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Jordan Moreau, Variety, 12 Mar. 2025
Ukrainian soldiers said the lack of intelligence was especially problematic in the Kursk region of Russia, where Russian and North Korean soldiers are on the offensive and have rapidly advanced.
—arkansasonline.com, 11 Mar. 2025
UConn maintained the pressure with another three turnovers in the first five minutes of the second quarter, but the defensive effort didn’t seem to tire the Huskies on the offensive end.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2025
Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for The New York Times Media Matters, the liberal watchdog organization that billionaire Elon Musk has sued in multiple lawsuits around the world, is going on the offensive.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on the offensive
Cite this Entry
“On the offensive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20offensive. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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