fight off

British  

verb

1. to repulse; repel

2. to struggle to avoid or repress

   to fight off a cold

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fight off Idioms  

1. Defend against, drive back, as in I've been fighting off a cold all week. This figurative use of the term, originally meaning “to repel an enemy” dates from the early 1800s.

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Example Sentences

Back in the Red Sea at the end of April, the Navy was growing increasingly frayed by the need to constantly fight off the Houthi drones and missiles.

From The Wall Street Journal

Marie, who becomes the prioress of the abbey at 17, begins a rise to power — or as much power as a woman is permitted — using her fellow nuns to fight off political and violent incursions.

From Los Angeles Times

Even Maekar’s political analysis cracks when confronted with the visual of Baelor standing in the mud with borrowed armor, fighting off Duncan’s foes, and of the assembled commons cheering for the hedge knight.

From Salon

He travels through his territory in a small convoy of armored vehicles with a team equipped to fight off aggressors until reinforcements arrive.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Some parents question why children need so many or think that their children are healthy enough to fight off these diseases," adds Ashraf.

From BBC