defensive measure
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A military action or resource intended to protect a country, territory, or force from a potential enemy or attack. This is the primary meaning, focusing on proactive or reactive steps taken for security and protection in a military or strategic context.
- Any action, plan, or device implemented to guard against a threat, danger, or criticism. In a broader, non-military sense, it can refer to steps taken to protect oneself, one's interests, or one's position in various situations, such as in law, sports, debate, or personal security.
Usage Examples
- Noun (Military/Strategic Context):
- The country invested heavily in new defensive measures, including an advanced missile shield.
- Deploying additional troops to the border was a necessary defensive measure.
- Noun (General/Figurative Context):
- Installing a firewall is a basic defensive measure for computer security.
- His apology seemed more like a defensive measure to avoid further criticism.
Advanced Usage
- "As a defensive measure": This phrase is commonly used to introduce the purpose of an action.
- The company diversified its suppliers as a defensive measure against market volatility.
- "Take defensive measures": A standard collocation describing the act of implementing protection.
- Citizens were advised to take defensive measures ahead of the storm.
Variants and Related Words
- Defense (AE) / Defence (BE) (n): The act or capability of defending.
- Defensive (adj): Intended for or used in defense; showing a tendency to defend.
- Countermeasure (n): An action taken to offset another action or situation, often in security contexts.
Synonyms
- Safeguard: A measure taken to protect someone or something from potential harm.
- Precaution: An action taken in advance to prevent something dangerous or unpleasant.
- Protection: The act of keeping someone or something safe from harm.
- Security measure: An action or device designed to increase safety and prevent danger.
Related Phrases
- Defensive strategy: A plan focused on protection and reaction rather than aggression.
- The team's defensive strategy was to control the ball and avoid mistakes.
- In self-defense: As a means of defending oneself from physical attack.
- He claimed he acted in self-defense.
Related Idioms
- A good defense is the best offense: This proverb suggests that being well-prepared to defend yourself can prevent attacks and create opportunities, effectively serving as an offensive strategy.
- The general believed a good defense was the best offense, so he fortified his positions.
- On the defensive: In a state or position of resisting criticism or attack.
- The scandal put the entire administration on the defensive.
Noun
- (military) military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies
- they died in the defense of Stalingrad
- they were developed for the defense program