fend off
To stop someone or something from reaching or hurting you by pushing them away.
Meanings
To defend yourself against a physical attack by blocking or pushing away an attacker.
"She used her bag to fend off the attacker until help arrived."
To deal with difficult questions, criticism, or unwanted attention by deflecting or avoiding them.
"The CEO spent most of the press conference fending off questions about the scandal."
"He had spent months fending off criticism of his handling of the economy."
— Common journalistic phrasing; widely used in UK/US broadsheet reporting.
To resist or overcome illness, tiredness, or another unwanted physical condition.
"Eating plenty of vitamin C can help you fend off a cold."
To protect a business or organization against a hostile takeover, competitor, or threat.
"The board voted to reject the offer and fend off the takeover bid."
Used in both physical and figurative contexts. Very common in journalism for sports, politics, and business (e.g., 'fend off a takeover bid', 'fend off questions'). The object is usually placed after 'off' or between the two parts.
Commonly used with
Forms
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