Phrase guide

on the back foot

prep_phrase · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

prep_phrase

Meaning 1

Having the weight on the back foot in order to play a defensive stroke

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: ball-games, cricket, games, hobbies, lifestyle, sports

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

prep_phrase

Meaning 2

in a defensive posture; on the defensive; off balance; at a disadvantage.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Commonwealth, idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Spanish: en el pie trasero — having the weight on the back foot in order to play a defensive stroke
  • Galician: á defensiva — in a defensive posture; on the defensive; off balance; at a disadvantage
  • Spanish: a la defensiva — in a defensive posture; on the defensive; off balance; at a disadvantage
  • Spanish: en desventaja — in a defensive posture; on the defensive; off balance; at a disadvantage