fends off
Keeps at bay
To fend off is to ward away or repel something unwanted.
You fend off an attacker, fend off criticism, or fend off a cold.
The phrase implies active resistance against something approaching or threatening: She fended off questions about her personal life.
He fended off the dog with a stick.
- refuteProve something untrue
- copeHandle difficulties adequately
- turns awayRedirects or refuses
- evadeEscape by cunning
- blockSolid mass, or impede
keeps at bay · parry · deflect · elude · counterargue · repel · shield · circumvent · outmaneuver · endure · beat back · pushes back · sidestep · rebuff · withstand · disprove · suppress · ignore
- repelsrepels, keeps away, drives away, pushes away, turns away