to take the offensive

Examples

• All

• In his testimony, Young took the offensive at the outset and maintained it throughout his appearance.

  Academic text (1997)

• Afraid of being rejected again, she took the offensive.

  Fiction book (1992)

• At last we take the offensive.

  For Whom the Bell Tolls (1943)

• The Church had to take the offensive.

  Academic text (1993)

• Instead, he spoke and took the offensive.

  Fiction book (1991)

• And he has taken the offensive on his remaining legal problems.

  Blog text (12)

• The BBC has been playing defense at home, even as it tries to take the offensive outside the U.K.

  Blog text (26)

• Such an institution might propose that the United States take the offensive abroad as well.

  Academic text (1993)

• William Buckley, while on the defensive in Miami, may now take the offensive.

  Best of Enemies (2015)

• Since he had no choice but to fight, Napoleon decided to take the offensive.

Synonyms

A

to attack

vsto take the offensive

∞ 1.3

To use force to hurt people or damage things

is about starting an aggressive approach in conflict or competition

E

to engage

vsto take the offensive

316 6.1

To take part in fighting against an enemy

emphasizes starting an aggressive approach rather than simply joining action

S

to strike

vsto take the offensive

182 4.2

To make a sudden, planned attack on an enemy or target

is broader, covering any aggressive start rather than only sudden strikes

G

to go at it

vsto take the offensive

• Informal

56 6.7

Act with a lot of energy, often fighting, arguing, or working hard

focuses more on initiating an attacking stance rather than intensity only

P

to play hardball

vsto take the offensive

• Informal

26 7.0

Act aggressively to get what you want when you compete with others

is about starting aggression without necessarily being ruthless

T

to take up arms

vsto take the offensive

16 7.7

Start fighting with weapons against an enemy or unfair rulers

is more general, including nonarmed aggressive approaches

T

to take arms

vsto take the offensive

5 7.9

To begin fighting by using weapons against an enemy

is less military, applying to any aggressive start in contests

J

to join battle

vsto take the offensive

3 7.3

To take part in a fight or argument

is more about choosing an aggressive posture rather than mere participation

O

to open fire

vsto take the offensive

• NSFW

2 4.3

Start attacking someone strongly by shooting or with strong words

is wider, meaning start aggression in many nonfiring ways

C

to choose violence

vsto take the offensive

• Informal

1 8.8

Decide to respond with force or shouting instead of being peaceful

is about taking the initiative to attack rather than merely choosing violence

G

to get claws out

vsto take the offensive

• Informal

1 8.8

To become suddenly aggressive and ready to fight back

is generally proactive, focusing on starting aggression rather than reacting

T

to take the game to them

vsto take the offensive

• Informal

8.1

Play aggressively to attack the other team rather than defend

is similar but also includes physical or violent beginnings

C

to come in for the kill

vsto take the offensive

• Informal

7.7

To make a final move to win at an important moment

is broader, meaning start aggression anytime, not only at a climax

Antonyms

D

to defend

∞ 1.3

To protect people and things from attack or harm

R

to retreat

235 4.0

To move back from a place or plan to avoid danger

How Aggressive

all-out

68 4.1

to take the offensive

5 6.4

to take potshots at

• Offensive

4 8.1

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology