PhrasesHub

on the back foot

    Definitions

      • in a defensive position
        Describing someone or a group as being in a defensive or disadvantageous position, particularly in a conflict or competition

      • unprepared or caught off guard
        Referring to someone who is not ready for a situation or has been taken by surprise, often in a negative way

    Examples of on the back foot

    • The sales team found themselves on the back foot during the quarterly presentation when the CEO asked critical questions about their sales strategy.

      This idiom means that the sales team was caught off guard and unprepared to answer the CEO's questions. They were put in a defensive position and had to think quickly to recover.

    • After making a mistake in front of his colleagues, the new employee felt himself going on the back foot. He had lost their confidence and wasn't sure how to regain it.

      In this example, the idiom means that the new employee found himself in a position of weakness and uncertainty after making a mistake. He felt defensive and unsure of how to proceed.

    • The politician was caught on camera making a careless statement and knew he was on the back foot until he could clarify the situation.

      This idiom means that the politician was in a defensible position due to the careless statement he made. He was forced to backpedal and explain himself until the issue was resolved.

    • The tennis player found herself on the back foot after her opponent hit a powerful shot that caught her off guard.

      In this example, the idiom means that the tennis player was put in a defensive position after her opponent hit a strong shot. She was forced to retreat and regain her footing before she could make a move.

    • During the job interview, the candidate stumbled over her words and seemed nervous, putting her on the back foot from the start of the interview.

      The idiom "on the back foot" refers to being defensively hesitant or in a vulnerable position. In this context, the candidate's nerves caused her to be off-balance and uncertain, putting her at a disadvantage from the beginning of the interview.

    • The team's poor performance in the match left them on the back foot, struggling to catch up and regain momentum.

      In this example, the team's performance in the match caused them to be put on the back foot, meaning they were in a weaker, defensive position and struggling to make a comeback.

    • The politician found herself on the back foot when asked a difficult question during the debate, struggling to find the right words in response.

      In this instance, the politician was caught off guard by a challenging question, putting her in a vulnerable position and forcing her to backtrack or provide a less than perfect response.

    • The business faced unexpected challenges that left them on the back foot, scrambling to adjust and adapt to the new circumstances.

      Here, the use of "on the back foot" conveys a sense of uncertainty and vulnerability due to unexpected challenges or difficulties. The business in this example found itself in a defensive position, reacting to circumstances it didn't anticipate.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "on the back foot" is used to mean being in a defensive position or being caught off guard. It is often used in situations where someone or a group is at a disadvantage or unprepared for a particular situation. It can be used in both literal and figurative contexts, such as in sports, business, or personal relationships.

    In a literal sense, being "on the back foot" can refer to a sports player being pushed onto their back foot, making it harder for them to defend themselves or attack. In a figurative sense, it can refer to someone being caught off guard or unprepared for a situation, leaving them at a disadvantage.

    Overall, the idiom is used to convey a sense of being in a less favorable position and needing to defend or regroup in order to improve the situation.

    Origin of "on the back foot"

    The origin of the idiom "on the back foot" comes from sports, particularly boxing or cricket. In boxing, being on the back foot means being in a defensive position, while in cricket, it refers to a batsman being positioned on the back foot, which limits their ability to play certain shots.

    Over time, the idiom has been adopted into everyday language to describe being in a defensive or disadvantageous position in a broader sense. It has become a common way to express being unprepared or caught off guard in various situations, not just in sports. The image of being on the back foot has been widely understood to convey a sense of being at a disadvantage, which has contributed to its widespread usage in everyday language.