defensive position

collocation in English

meaningsofdefensiveandposition

These words are often used together. Click on the links below to explore the meanings. Or,see other collocations withposition.
defensive
adjective
uk
/dɪˈfen.sɪv/us
/dɪˈfen.sɪv/
used to protect someone or something ...
See more atdefensive
position
noun
uk
/pəˈzɪʃ.ən/us
/pəˈzɪʃ.ən/
the place where something or someone is, often in relation to ...
See more atposition

(Definition ofdefensiveandpositionfrom theCambridge English Dictionary© Cambridge University Press)

Examplesofdefensive position

These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
I have no need to take up adefensiveposition.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
A tank has to be in the rightdefensiveposition.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
We do not want to slip into adefensiveposition.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
One reason for this divided stance was that socialism affected heavy and light industry differently, with the former industry in a strongerdefensivepositionthan the latter.
From theCambridge English Corpus
But perhaps we put ourselves in adefensivepositionby drawing on extrinsic purposes for music learning, thus perpetuating the idea that we must constantly justify our existence.
From theCambridge English Corpus
After operating all day the company took up adefensivepositionfor the night.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
We have a rather differentdefensivepositionfrom that which obtained at that time.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
I hope that that explains thedefensivepositionof a building society.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
I do not want to be put in adefensiveposition.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
I was surprised to find that they fought the battle from a well-chosendefensiveposition.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
In any of the three scenarios, health ministries, through a coordinated national research policy, should adopt a far-sighted and active role, rather than remain in adefensiveposition.
From theCambridge English Corpus
Kissou was a strongdefensiveposition.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
Thedefensivepositionwas a good one.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
There, they established adefensiveposition.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
We are now on thedefensivepositionand no longer attackers—and the danger is very great.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
I do not think, however, you should leave thedefensivepositionwhich has been allotted to you.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
We want to clear them because we want the land back if we are in adefensiveposition.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
Colleagues who smoke often feel that it is morally wrong and therefore they adopt a psychologicallydefensiveposition.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
I do not accept evidence that is presented by the one organisation that is in adefensiveposition.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
What he is seeking is two more years, as a minimum, to start getting into adefensiveposition.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
We are well aware that the standard military doctrine is that if one is in adefensivepositionit takes a 3:1 superiority to overcome that dug-indefensiveposition.
From the
Hansard archive
Example from the Hansard archive. Contains Parliamentary information licensed under theOpen Parliament Licence v3.0
The latter requires empathy with the patient'sdefensiveposition.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
These dated thedefensivepositionto the 10th century.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
They turned each village and crossroads into adefensiveposition.
From
Wikipedia
This example is from Wikipedia and may be reused under a CC BY-SA license.
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web. Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
Want to learn more?
Go to the definition ofdefensive
Go to the definition ofposition
See other collocations withposition