take the offensive — to begin to attack or fight against someone or something Opponents of the development project took the offensive and defeated the land sale. • • • Main Entry: ↑offensive * * * go on (to) the ofˈfensive | take the ofˈfensive idiom to start attack … Useful english dictionary
take the offensive — index attack, fight (battle), oppugn Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 … Law dictionary
take the offensive — go on the offensive or take the offensive to begin to attack or criticize someone who you think is attacking you Under pressure from his critics, the minister decided to go on the offensive … English dictionary
take the offensive — {v. phr.} To make oneself the attacking party. * /After many months of preparation, the freedom fighters were ready to take the offensive./ Contrast TAKE THE DEFENSIVE … Dictionary of American idioms
take the offensive — {v. phr.} To make oneself the attacking party. * /After many months of preparation, the freedom fighters were ready to take the offensive./ Contrast TAKE THE DEFENSIVE … Dictionary of American idioms
take the offensive — our fleet will take the offensive within the next 48 hours Syn: launch an attack, begin to attack, attack first, strike the first blow … Thesaurus of popular words
take the offensive — verb To attack instead of defending; to be bold and proactive. Syn: go on the offensive … Wiktionary
To take the offensive — Offensive Of*fen sive, n. The state or posture of one who offends or makes attack; aggressive attitude; the act of the attacking party; opposed to {defensive}. [1913 Webster] {To take the offensive}, {To act on the offensive}, {To go on the… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
take the offensive — begin an attack, make an assault … English contemporary dictionary
take the defensive — Contrast: TAKE THE OFFENSIVE … Dictionary of American idioms