The best defense is a good offence

Definitions

• discourage someone
  Advise against engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit

• proactive approach
  Suggest that being assertive and taking initiative can be more effective in achieving a goal than being defensive

Examples of The best defense is a good offence

• Jane was an exceptional athlete, and her team was trailing by two goals in the final minutes of the game. Feeling the pressure, she remembered the saying "The best defense is a good offense" and decided to take the matter into her own hands. She dribbled past the opposing team's defense and scored two quick goals, giving her team the lead and ultimately securing the victory.

  In this example, Jane realized that instead of solely focusing on defending her team's lead, she should take a more proactive approach and go on the attack. By scoring two goals, she not only put her team in a better position to win but also prevented the opposing team from having the chance to score again, which would have allowed them to tie or win the game. Essentially, Jane's offense became her defense, as she prevented the other team from scoring by scoring herself.

• Alex was being accused of a crime he did not commit, and he knew that the only way to prove his innocence was to take a proactive approach. He hired a private investigator to uncover evidence that could exonerate him, rather than simply waiting for the prosecution to build a case against him.

  In this example, Alex recognized that sitting back and waiting for the prosecution to build their case against him would have left him at a disadvantage. By proactively hiring a private investigator, he took control of the situation and was able to gather evidence that cleared his name. This evidence not only proved his innocence but also undermined the credibility of the prosecution's case, making it less likely that they would be able to secure a conviction against him. Essentially, Alex's offense became his defense, as he was able to collect evidence that countered the accusations against him.

• In the workplace, John's team had been struggling to meet their deadlines, and management was starting to become impatient. Realizing that simply blaming external factors like "too many meetings" or "too much paperwork" was not going to work, John decided to take a proactive approach and develop a plan to improve their productivity. He organized a team meeting to discuss strategies for reducing waste and increasing efficiency, and implemented some of the ideas that were generated during the meeting.

  In this example, John recognized that simply defending his team's performance or blaming external factors would not solve the problem. Instead, he took a proactive approach and developed a plan to improve their productivity. By organizing a team meeting and implementing some of the ideas that were generated, he was able to address the underlying issues that were contributing to their poor performance, rather than simply accepting the status quo. Essentially, John's offense became his defense, as he was able to prevent future problems by addressing the underlying issues that were causing their poor performance.

• Sarah was facing a difficult negotiation with a business partner, and she knew that she needed to take a proactive approach in order to come out on top. She spent several days researching the market and identifying ways that she could add value to the partnership, rather than simply defending her position.

  In this example, Sarah recognized that simply defending her position would not be enough to secure a favorable outcome. By taking a proactive approach and identifying ways that she could add value to the partnership, she was able to put herself in a stronger negotiating position. She was able to present concrete ideas for how the partnership could be improved, rather than simply defending her position. Essentially, Sarah's offense became her defense, as she was able to address the underlying issues that were contributing to the disagreement and find a mutually beneficial solution.

• In my high school debate tournament, I knew that my opponent would bring up some strong arguments against my position. Instead of waiting for her to present her case and then trying to refute it, I decided to take a proactive approach. I started my argument with a strong opening statement that highlighted the positive aspects of my position, and then I spent the rest of my time presenting evidence to back it up. By taking a good offense, I was able to put my opponent on the defensive and force her to explain why her position was inferior to mine. In the end, I won the debate, and I credit my victory to the fact that I followed the saying, "The best defense is a good offense."

  This idiom is commonly used to describe a strategy where instead of waiting for an attack or challenge, you take the initiative and go on the offense. This can put the other person or team on the defensive, making it harder for them to respond effectively. It's often used in sports, where teams will try to score points or goals early in the game to put pressure on their opponents, but it can also be applied to other areas of life, such as debates, negotiations, or even personal relationships. The key to using this idiom effectively is to be proactive and take calculated risks while maintaining a strong defense.

• In a soccer match, instead of just defending their goal, the team decided to go on the attack and score several goals. This put their opponents on the defensive and made it more difficult for them to score.

  This is an example of using the idiom "The best defense is a good offense" in the context of a soccer match. It means that instead of just waiting for the other team to attack and trying to stop them, it's often more effective to take the initiative and score goals yourself. This puts the other team on the back foot and makes it harder for them to score.

• When you're debating or arguing a point, it's often more effective to present a strong argument in favor of your position rather than just trying to refute the other person's arguments.

  In this example, the idiom is being applied to a situation where you're trying to win an argument or debate. By presenting a strong argument in favor of your position, you're taking the initiative and putting the other person on the defensive. This makes it harder for them to refute your argument and can often lead to a more favorable outcome.

• When you're faced with a difficult situation, it's often better to take action and address the issue head-on rather than just waiting for things to get worse.

  This is an example of using the idiom in a general sense to mean that it's often more effective to take an active approach to dealing with a problem rather than just waiting for things to get worse and then trying to fix them. By taking action and addressing the issue head-on, you're taking the initiative and putting yourself in a stronger position to resolve the problem.

Conclusion

This idiom is often used to caution someone against a certain action or to encourage them to take a proactive approach. In the first meaning, it is used to discourage someone from pursuing a particular course of action, while in the second meaning, it is used to emphasize the importance of being proactive and assertive.

Origin of "The best defense is a good offence"

The origin of the idiom "the best defense is a good offence" can be traced back to military strategy. The concept is based on the idea that taking a proactive and aggressive approach to warfare can be more effective in defending against an enemy's attacks. By keeping the enemy on their toes and forcing them to react to your actions, you can effectively defend against their advances.

The phrase has since been adopted into everyday language to convey the idea that being proactive and assertive can be more effective in various situations, not just in military strategy. It is often used in sports, business, and personal relationships to emphasize the importance of taking initiative and being proactive in order to achieve success.