take up a defensive position vs hold a defensive position

Both phrases are correct and commonly used in English. They convey a similar meaning but with a slight difference in emphasis. 'Take up a defensive position' implies the action of assuming a defensive stance, while 'hold a defensive position' suggests maintaining that defensive stance.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 1457 views

take up a defensive position

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to describe the action of assuming a defensive stance or position in a strategic or tactical context.

Examples:

The soldiers were ordered to take up a defensive position along the perimeter.
The team quickly took up a defensive position to protect their goal.

Show examples from the web [+]

Take up defensive positions in those trees.
Cairo's ordered us to take up defensive positions for two months.
Battalion wants us to head east, set up a defensive position.
We pull back into a defensive position and dropping mortars.
The bashful tend to assume a defensive position.
Also looks like his arms Are in a defensive position.
Why aren't we in a defensive position?
You could shoot me center mass, But the low directionality will show I was in a defensive position.
-Sergeant! -Yes, sir. I want a defensive position above that ridge... mined with everything we've got.
We will withdraw into a defensive position and we will score an own goal against the interests of our fellow citizens.
Madam President, Commissioner, you did not need to take such a defensive position.
It is not that we are only taking a defensive position on agriculture; we are active in all areas that concern the trade negotiations.
However, we must also add that the European Union must have an active approach to agricultural negotiations too, because it cannot restrict itself to a defensive position.
Coming to the concerns expressed by many of you, especially Mr Crowley, regarding agriculture and the multilateral negotiations, I can assure you that Europe will not allow itself to be forced into a defensive position in this context.
Let us not systematically adopt a defensive position or, worse still, an entrenched position on a complex matter which deserves to be studied in depth.
We need to get up that hill and set up a good, defensive position...
In view of the challenges we are facing, we cannot remain passive or take a defensive position, but we must also recognise that the invisible hand of the market is not going to provide a sufficient response.
If 1,200 men couldn't hold a defensive position this morning, what chance have we with 100?
Okay, let's set up a defensive perimeter.
So we'll set up a defensive perimeter at the launcher, and catch him when he tries.

Alternatives:

assume a defensive position
adopt a defensive stance
position themselves defensively
get into a defensive posture
prepare a defensive position

hold a defensive position

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to describe the action of maintaining a defensive stance or position in a strategic or tactical context.

Examples:

The troops managed to hold a defensive position despite the enemy's advances.
The team held a defensive position until reinforcements arrived.

Show examples from the web [+]

If 1,200 men couldn't hold a defensive position this morning, what chance have we with 100?
Battalion wants us to head east, set up a defensive position.
We pull back into a defensive position and dropping mortars.
The bashful tend to assume a defensive position.
Also looks like his arms Are in a defensive position.
Why aren't we in a defensive position?
You could shoot me center mass, But the low directionality will show I was in a defensive position.
-Sergeant! -Yes, sir. I want a defensive position above that ridge... mined with everything we've got.
We will withdraw into a defensive position and we will score an own goal against the interests of our fellow citizens.
Madam President, Commissioner, you did not need to take such a defensive position.
It is not that we are only taking a defensive position on agriculture; we are active in all areas that concern the trade negotiations.
However, we must also add that the European Union must have an active approach to agricultural negotiations too, because it cannot restrict itself to a defensive position.
Coming to the concerns expressed by many of you, especially Mr Crowley, regarding agriculture and the multilateral negotiations, I can assure you that Europe will not allow itself to be forced into a defensive position in this context.
Let us not systematically adopt a defensive position or, worse still, an entrenched position on a complex matter which deserves to be studied in depth.
In view of the challenges we are facing, we cannot remain passive or take a defensive position, but we must also recognise that the invisible hand of the market is not going to provide a sufficient response.
The rest of you, take defensive positions.
It's in an excellent defensive position.
Take up defensive positions in those trees.
We need to get up that hill and set up a good, defensive position...
This island is the only one defensive position.

Alternatives:

maintain a defensive position
keep a defensive stance
stay in a defensive position
defend a position defensively
remain in a defensive posture

What Our Customers Are Saying

Our customers love us! We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283,125 votes.
Also check out our 2,100+ reviews on TrustPilot (4.9).

"Thank you!"
Sachi Nakama July 2024
"I have literally been through chat, PI, claude, bard and bing and I got conflicting answers! Thank you! Human intelligence reigns!"
Retha July 2024
"Faster than AI"
CYNTHIA December 2023
"This was very helpful and I personally think this site is the best."
Kaden October 2023
"It was extremely thorough and very helpful!"
imperialelisa October 2023
"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"
Zubair Alam October 2023
"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."
Selena October 2023
"Without textranch I would be stuck!"
宏祐 October 2023
"Accuracy and fast response. Personal comments from editor. Thank you."
Clh September 2023
"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"
Arturo September 2023
"The fact that you can get reliable fast feedback on your texts."
Vinicius Antonio August 2023
"you guys are better than grammarly i'm being honest here"
ordinary July 2023
"OMG! This is really good than any other text correction tools I've used so far. Highly recommend this."
Vehan July 2023
"Very fast and accurate. thank you."
mojtaba July 2023
"I love this app because it's help to writing skills all of students ♥️"
Tarisini July 2023
"This was exactly the mistake I was looking for, the wording dind´t sound right at first. Better than grammarly!"
Ente July 2023
"The immediate help that I received was reassuring and very satisfactory. Thanks."
priiiyanshuu July 2023
"this helps A LOT for my studies."
kathnunez02 June 2023
"Woow!! I would never have expected such precision! Thank you soooo much!!"
Berta June 2023
"Real Time Editor and not AI. Many Thanks."
Priya June 2023
"The very first thing excites me about Textranch is how much your editors care."
sepideh June 2023
"The fact that texts are checked by human editors rather than by AI, etc. I appreciate this!"
Анна June 2023
"Feel welcome, immediate response, high quality feedback"
martin.roy June 2023
"This is the best app that I have ever seen"
Burulai May 2023

take up a defensive position vs hold a defensive position