fend off — (someone) 1. to stop someone from coming too near to you. She was never very good at fending off the boys. 2. to stop someone from hurting you. The young woman was able to fend off the robber. Related vocabulary: ward off someone/something … New idioms dictionary
fend off — verb prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening Let s avoid a confrontation head off a confrontation avert a strike • Syn: ↑debar, ↑forefend, ↑forfend, ↑obviate, ↑ … Useful english dictionary
fend off — 1) PHRASAL VERB If you fend off unwanted questions, problems, or people, you stop them from affecting you or defend yourself from them, but often only for a short time and without dealing with them completely. [V P n (not pron)] He looked relaxed … English dictionary
ward off someone — ward off (someone/something) to try to keep away someone or something that would hurt you. He raised his arm at the elbow to ward off the blow. They have a “No Trespassing” sign out front to ward off anyone who happens by. She often gets… … New idioms dictionary
fend — [fend] v [Date: 1200 1300; Origin: defend] fend for yourself to look after yourself without needing help from other people ▪ The kids had to fend for themselves while their parents were away. fend off [fend sb/sth off] phr v 1.) to defend… … Dictionary of contemporary English
fend — verb fend for yourself to look after yourself without needing help from other people: The kids had to fend for themselves while their parents were away. fend sb/sth off phrasal verb (T) 1 to defend yourself against someone who is attacking you: A … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
stave off — verb prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening (Freq. 3) Let s avoid a confrontation head off a confrontation avert a strike • Syn: ↑debar, ↑forefend, ↑forfend, ↑ … Useful english dictionary
ward off something — ward off (someone/something) to try to keep away someone or something that would hurt you. He raised his arm at the elbow to ward off the blow. They have a “No Trespassing” sign out front to ward off anyone who happens by. She often gets… … New idioms dictionary
ward off — (someone/something) to try to keep away someone or something that would hurt you. He raised his arm at the elbow to ward off the blow. They have a “No Trespassing” sign out front to ward off anyone who happens by. She often gets headaches, so she … New idioms dictionary
fend — verb 1》 (fend for oneself) look after and provide for oneself. 2》 (fend someone/thing off) defend oneself from an attack or attacker. Origin ME: shortening of defend; cf. fence and fencible … English new terms dictionary