scrappy defense
Gritty underdog stand
A scrappy defense is one characterized by tenacity and resourcefulness rather than technical excellence or superior talent.
Common in sports commentary, it describes a team or player who compensates for limitations through hustle, grit, and refusing to give up: Their scrappy defense kept them in the game despite being outmatched.
The phrase suggests admirable effort in the face of disadvantage.
- grittyCoarse or courageous
- blue collarManual labor workforce
- hustleEnergetic, aggressive action
- tenaciousStubbornly determined to continue
- underdogPresumed loser beforehand
chip on shoulder · feisty · determined · never say die · clutch · diving · loose ball · steal · shot blocker · block · full court press · pressure · in your face · relentless · gutsy · hardnosed · battling · effort
scrappy, scrap, scraps, scrapped, scrapping, scrappier, scrappiest, scrappiness, defense