# Origin of Phrase: On the back foot

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-phrase-on-the-back-foot/274235>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [November 11, 2004, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-phrase-on-the-back-foot/274235 "2004-11-11T18:13:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dusuileach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c77e96/32.png) [@dusuileach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dusuileach)\
**Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-phrase-on-the-back-foot/274235/1 "2004-11-11T18:13:36Z")

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Hi -

I’m trying to find the origin of this phrase. I’ve been told it means to be on the defensive and I’m wondering if has it something to do with fencing.

Thanks

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**Author:** ![seosamh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@seosamh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seosamh)\
**Post date:** [November 11, 2004, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-phrase-on-the-back-foot/274235/2 "2004-11-11T22:14:44Z")

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I’m only guessing but it might also be from the game of cricket.

A defensive stroke, i.e. one that is purely intended to play the ball safely, not necessarily to score a run, is often played “off the back foot”, i.e. the batsman takes a step back towards his stumps. (Taking a step down the pitch, towards the bowler, is “on the front foot”.)

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**Author:** ![dusuileach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c77e96/32.png) [@dusuileach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dusuileach)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2004, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-phrase-on-the-back-foot/274235/3 "2004-11-12T12:33:02Z")

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Thanks - all the evidence points to cricket!

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**Author:** ![seosamh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@seosamh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seosamh)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2004, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/origin-of-phrase-on-the-back-foot/274235/4 "2004-11-12T13:04:09Z")

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In fact, you can learn how to play shots off the back foot on the [BBC’s website](http://news.bbc.co.uk/sportacademy/hi/sa/cricket/skills/newsid_3267000/3267391.stm)