ward off

British  

verb

1. (tr, adverb) to turn aside or repel; avert

---

ward off Idioms  

1. Turn aside, parry, as in He tried to ward off her blows . [Second half of 1500s]

2. Try to prevent, avert, as in She took vitamin C to ward off a cold . [Mid-1700s]

---

Example Sentences

The new deadline to ward off escalation is Friday, when some 2,200 Marines are due to arrive in the region.

From The Wall Street Journal

Epic's boss also used his letter to ward off any potential speculation about the role of increased generative AI adoption across the industry in Tuesday's cuts.

From BBC

For Glapinski, warding off a combination of slow growth and rising inflation will require flexibility.

From The Wall Street Journal

Looking to the future, George said he planned to continue his treatment to ward off a relapse, but knows that "MS will take what it wants".

From BBC

These vaccines may ward off cancer in patients who have been treated for the disease, but are at high risk for recurrence.

From The Wall Street Journal