act defensively
[/ækt dɪˈfɛnsɪvli/]
verb phrase
agir defensivamente
1. to behave in a way that protects oneself from criticism, attack, or harm; to respond with protective or guarded behavior
When confronted about his mistakes, he acted defensively instead of listening to feedback.
Quando confrontado sobre seus erros, ele agiu defensivamente em vez de ouvir o feedback.
2. to adopt a defensive stance or position in sports or conflict to minimize vulnerability
The team acted defensively after conceding an early goal.
O time agiu defensivamente depois de sofrer um gol no início da partida.
3. to respond with justification or explanation when feeling accused or threatened
She acted defensively when her colleague questioned her work ethic.
Ela agiu defensivamente quando seu colega questionou sua ética de trabalho.
In both American and Brazilian cultures, acting defensively is often perceived negatively in workplace and personal relationships, as it can impede communication and conflict resolution. The phrase reflects universal human psychology regarding self-protection responses to perceived threats or criticism.
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