beating back
Forcing into retreat
Beating back is repelling or forcing something to retreat.
You beat back an attacker, an invading army, or flames threatening to spread.
The phrase often carries a sense of sustained effort against something that keeps advancing: Firefighters worked through the night beating back the blaze.
Figuratively, you can beat back fears, doubts, or unwanted emotions.
- rejectingRefusing to accept
- fightingEngaging in physical conflict
- repelDrive off or disgust
- retaliateRespond to injury alike
- deflectTurn from course
fend off · counterattack · withstand · block · resist · stand your ground · push away · staving off · keep at bay · fortify · dig in · barricade · defend · parry · recover · outmaneuver · grit · refute
beating backretreating
Moving back from advance
falling back · giving way · surrendering · withdrawing · ceding
beating backadvancing
Moving in forward direction
charging · pushing forward · attacking · invading · gaining ground
beating backencouraging
Giving confidence or hope
fostering · nurturing · promoting · cultivating · fueling
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