意思是:民主制目前处于不利地位
be on the back foot :这是英国俚语,指的是处于守势,处于不利的境地
其他例句:Italy was on the back foot but for all their probing, France were unable to open up the Azzurri back line.
意大利队处于守势。不过,他们凭借前场的攻击力,仍使法国队不敢放手攻击蓝衣军团的防线。
on the back foot 是指在一个不利的位置,和需要自我保护的位置的意思
如:This government is on the back foot over policies for pricing data.