# take the offensive

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/take-the-offensive
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To attack instead of defending; to be bold and proactive.

## Examples

- It is time to take the offensive and win this game.
- Instead of waiting for the competition to act, the company decided to take the offensive by launching a new marketing campaign.
- Recognizing that their defensive strategy had failed, the general ordered his troops to take the offensive and reclaim the lost territory before dawn.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.