"on the defensive" in Chinese (Simplified)
处于防守状态
Definition
当你处于防守状态时，是在保护自己以免受到批评、攻击或指责，而不是主动攻击别人。
Usage Notes (Chinese (Simplified))
在正式和非正式场合都常用，用来描述感到被批评或攻击的人。常见说法有“让某人处于防守状态”。适用于讨论、争论、关系和体育。通常指情感或言语上的防御，而不仅仅是身体上的防御。
Examples
After the question, he was on the defensive.
问题后，他变得**处于防守状态**。
The team played on the defensive all night.
球队整晚都**处于防守状态**。
She gets on the defensive when criticized.
她被批评时会**处于防守状态**。
Why are you suddenly on the defensive? I'm just asking a question.
你怎么突然**处于防守状态**了？我只是问个问题而已。
He always goes on the defensive when people talk about his work.
一谈到他工作，他总是**处于防守状态**。
The politician stayed on the defensive throughout the debate, dodging tough questions.
政客在整个辩论中都**处于防守状态**，回避难题。