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a la defensiva

on the defensive

→ a
phrase Rare #33,844
on the defensive Used to describe a person who reacts as if being attacked, criticized, or challenged.
SP: No te pongas a la defensiva cuando te hagan una pregunta.
EN: Don't get defensive when they ask you a question.

Pelea a la defensiva.

He fights defensively.

— Dangal (2016)

Y contra su naturaleza, Geeta está a la defensiva.

And against her nature, Geeta is on the defensive.

— Dangal (2016)

Yanni se puso a la defensiva.

Yanni became defensive.

Y, estar a la defensiva, ¿lo adquirió recientemente?

And, being defensive, did you acquire that recently?

— Wicked (2024)

No estés tan a la defensiva.

Don't be so defensive.

— Laurence Anyways (2012)

Tuviste una ventaja de dos puntos, y empezaste a pelear a la defensiva.

You had a two-point lead, and you started fighting defensively.

— Dangal (2016)

Necesito ponerlo a la defensiva y llevarlo adonde quiere ir.

I need to put him on the defensive and lead him where he wants to go.

— Algunos hombres buenos (1992)

Y ya terminé de jugar a la defensiva, Te lo prometo.

And I'm done playing defensively, I promise you.

— The Running Man (2025)