losing initiative; being forestalled
moving second; person with the second move
《go (game); shogi》gote; move that does not require an immediate response from the opponent
rear guard
序盤で後手に回ってしまった。
I lost the initiative early in the game.
競合に後手を踏まないよう、先手を打つべきだ。
We should make the first move to avoid falling behind competitors.
政府のコロナ対応が後手に回り、批判された。
The government's COVID response was delayed, drawing criticism.