OFFENSE Meaning and
Definition
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Offense is a noun that has multiple meanings depending on its context. Primarily, it refers to the act of causing displeasure, outrage, or annoyance to someone. It is an action or behavior that is perceived as disrespectful, insulting, or objectionable to another person or group, often resulting in hurt feelings or a sense of moral indignation. An offense can manifest in various forms such as verbal attacks, physical aggression, or even non-verbal gestures that belittle or insult someone.
In legal terms, offense refers to a violation of the law or an illegal act committed by an individual. This could range from minor infractions like traffic violations to more serious crimes such as theft, assault, or fraud. Criminal offenses are typically categorized by their severity and can carry legal consequences such as fines, probation, or imprisonment.
Offense can also be used to describe an attitude of displeasure or resentment towards something, including beliefs, opinions, or practices. People may take offense when their values or cultural norms are challenged or when they feel attacked or undermined.
Furthermore, offense can be associated with sports, where it denotes actions or strategies employed to achieve points or goals against the opposing team. A football offense, for example, comprises players responsible for advancing the ball towards the opposing team's end zone.
Ultimately, offense is a multifaceted concept that encompasses various meanings, encompassing notions of harm, transgression, and personal sensitivities.
Top Common Misspellings for OFFENSE *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for OFFENSE
Etymology of OFFENSE
The word "offense" originated from the Latin term "offensus", which means "an attack" or "a striking against". It is derived from the past participle of the Latin verb "offendere", which is a combination of "ob" (meaning "against") and "fendere" (meaning "to strike" or "to hit"). The Old French term "offense" was derived from Latin, and it eventually found its way into the English language around the 14th century, keeping its original meaning.
Idioms with the word OFFENSE
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best defense is a good offense
The idiom "best defense is a good offense" means that being proactive and taking aggressive action can be the most effective way to protect oneself or achieve success, rather than simply reacting defensively. It suggests that by attacking or being assertive, one can preemptively seize control of a situation, preventing the opponent from gaining an advantage.
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no offense
The idiom "no offense" is a phrase used before or after a statement to express that the speaker does not intend to cause harm, insult, or hurt anyone's feelings, even though their words might be seen as critical or controversial. It serves as a precautionary indication that the speaker's statement should not be taken personally or as a personal attack.
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take offense (at sm or sth)
The idiom "take offense (at someone or something)" means to become angry, upset, or hurt by someone's words, actions, or behavior. It refers to the act of feeling personally insulted or insulted on behalf of someone else.
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mean no offense
The idiom "mean no offense" is used to clarify that one's statement or action is not intended to cause any harm, disrespect, or hurt feelings to the recipient. It emphasizes that the person did not have any ill intentions, but rather, their words or behavior may have unintentionally been interpreted in a negative way.
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give offense
The idiom "give offense" means to behave or speak in a way that causes someone to feel hurt, insulted, or upset. It refers to the act of offending or causing displeasure to another person due to one's words, actions, or behavior.
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on offense
The idiom "on offense" typically refers to being proactive, assertive, or actively taking action in a particular situation, usually with the intention of gaining an advantage or achieving a certain goal. It generally implies a proactive stance, engaging in an aggressive or determined manner to tackle challenges or pursue objectives.
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take offense
The idiom "take offense" means to feel personally insulted or upset by something someone says or does, often perceiving it as an attack on one's character or beliefs.
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the best defense is a good offense
The idiom "the best defense is a good offense" suggests that it is more effective to be proactive and take aggressive actions in order to protect oneself or be successful, rather than simply reacting to threats or waiting for problems to arise. It implies that by being assertive and taking initiative, one can maintain control of a situation or gain an advantage over opponents. In essence, being proactive is seen as a more successful approach than being solely defensive.
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give offense to
The idiom "give offense to" means to cause someone to feel hurt, insulted, or upset by one's words, actions, or behavior. It implies that something has been done or said that has provoked a negative reaction or angered someone.
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hanging offense
The idiom "hanging offense" is a phrase used to describe an action or behavior that is considered extremely serious, immoral, or criminal, often implying that it deserves severe punishment such as execution by hanging. The phrase is figurative and does not imply literal hanging but rather indicates a high level of societal condemnation or outrage towards the act in question.
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No offense taken.
The idiom "No offense taken" is a phrase used to express that a person does not feel insulted, hurt, or bothered by something that was said or done. It signifies that the individual understands that the comment or action was not intended to cause harm, and they do not hold any negative feelings towards the person who made it.
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No offense meant.
The idiom "No offense meant" is used as a preface before saying something that may be perceived as offensive or hurtful, indicating that the speaker did not intend to cause any harm or insult.
Similar spelling words for OFFENSE
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