1930 C. F. GREGG Murder on Bus xxxvii. Inspector Higgins fired his revolver at the
sound, deeming attack the better part of defence, whilst someone from the other side of
the room had a similar notion. 1965 N. S. GRAY Apple-Stone xi. ‘Attack’, she said, ‘is
the best means of defence.’ She sounded so smug that I told her the thought was not
original. 1980 F. OLBRICH Desouza in Stardust iv. Attack is the best form of defence,
they say, and when politicians lose their principles they play a dirty game. 2002 Times 19
June 24 Clearly, the big banks have stuck to their policy of attack being the best form of
defence on this issue [of price controls]. boldness; warfareaway see when the CAT’S away, the mice will play.