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Explaining “The best defense is a good offense”

Anwar Kareem 02/12/2024, 09:27
English.me team member

What does it mean?

The best defense is a good offense

The phrase "The best defense is a good offense" suggests that proactively attacking or confronting a problem can be the most effective way to defend against it, rather than passively waiting to respond to attacks.

Tone

Strategic and proactive

Origin

The earliest known use of a similar sentiment can be found in the writings of ancient military strategists, such as Sun Tzu in "The Art of War," where he emphasizes the importance of offensive action in warfare. The phrase has since been popularized in various contexts, including sports, business, and personal development.

Examples of usage

  • In sports, many coaches believe that the best defense is a good offense, encouraging their teams to keep attacking in order to win.
  • When it comes to cybersecurity, some experts argue that the best defense is a good offense, suggesting proactive measures to outpace cyber threats.
  • Facing a tough situation at work, she decided that the best defense is a good offense and took initiative to solve the problem before it escalated.