stave off

British  

verb

1. (tr, adverb) to avert or hold off (something undesirable or harmful), esp temporarily

   to stave off hunger

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stave off Idioms  

1. Keep or hold away, repel, as in The Federal Reserve Board is determined to stave off inflation. This metaphoric expression transfers beating something off with a staff or stave to nonphysical repulsion. [c. 1600]

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Example Sentences

Tokyo imposed caps on fuel and electricity prices to stave off recession after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, even though Brent oil hung above $100 a barrel for more than four months, Thieliant says.

From Barron's

Wall Street on Tuesday tapped the brakes on expectations for a quick deal to stave off an oil shock.

From The Wall Street Journal

The danger is that the infected body cannot stave off fever, headaches or other basic illnesses.

From The Wall Street Journal

In an effort to stave off economic disaster, Cuba’s government is considering allowing foreign-based entrepreneurs to start businesses and buy property.

From The Wall Street Journal

Five years later, all the remaining wild condors were captured and bred in captivity to try to stave off extinction.

From Los Angeles Times