stiff-arm
Fend off tacklers
To stiff-arm is to push someone away with an arm held straight and rigid, palm out—a move used in American football to fend off tacklers: He stiff-armed the defender and gained ten more yards.
Figuratively, to stiff-arm is to reject or keep at a distance: The senator stiff-armed reporters' questions.
The noun is the move itself.
Force something away
- shovePush with force
- thrustForceful forward motion
- extendMake longer or larger
- palmHand's flat interior
force · fend · repel · block · leverage · outstretch · brace · power
Deliberate dismissive rejection
- cold-shoulderIntentional social rejection
- brush-offAbrupt, dismissive rejection
- spurnRefuse with contempt
- dismissSend away or reject
reject · avoidance · aloofness · detachment · distance · deflect · decline · refuse
Gear or takedown
- fendTo ward off
- runnerOne who sprints
- ballcarrierPlayer possessing the football
- defenderOne who guards another
rushing · yards · breakaway · gridiron · scrimmage · downfield · fullback · touchdown
Active resistance or dissent
- defianceOpen resistance to authority
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
- pushbackResistance to something proposed
- refusalAct of declining
blocking · stonewalling · hindrance · impediment · noncompliance · unyielding · firm · immovable
push
Force something away
palm · force · fend · repel · block · leverage · outstretch · brace · power · muscle
snub
Deliberate dismissive rejection
- cold-shoulderIntentional social rejection
- brush-offAbrupt, dismissive rejection
- spurnRefuse with contempt
dismiss · reject · avoidance · aloofness · detachment · distance · deflect · decline · refuse
tackle
Gear or takedown
- fendTo ward off
- runnerOne who sprints
- ballcarrierPlayer possessing the football
defender · rushing · yards · breakaway · gridiron · scrimmage · downfield · fullback · touchdown · open-field
opposition
Active resistance or dissent
- defianceOpen resistance to authority
- obstructionSomething blocking the way
- pushbackResistance to something proposed
refusal · blocking · stonewalling · hindrance · impediment · noncompliance · unyielding · firm · immovable · prevent