fend off — to defend yourself against an attack or unwanted approach; to ward off or repel
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to defend yourself against an attack or unwanted approach; to ward off or repel
Pronunciation (IPA): /fɛnd ɔf/
Example Sentences
- The celebrity tried to fend off the paparazzi with an umbrella, but ended up looking like a superhero fighting invisible enemies.
- The company had to fend off several hostile takeover attempts this year.
- He fended off his mother's questions about his love life by suddenly becoming very interested in washing dishes.
fend off
VERB[/fɛnd ɔf/]
to defend yourself against an attack or unwanted approach; to ward off or repel
The medieval knight raises his shield to fend off a barrage of flaming arrows.
Fend off attacks, defend the keep, where battle forces blend and leap!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The phrase derives from Middle English 'fenden' (14th century), which comes from Old French 'defendre' meaning 'to defend' or 'to protect'. The addition of 'off' strengthens the sense to mean 'to push away while defending' or 'to repel'.
Breakdown
fend (from Old French defendre, meaning 'to defend') + off (away, apart), creating a phrasal verb meaning 'to defend by pushing away or repelling'.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The celebrity tried to fend off the paparazzi with an umbrella, but ended up looking like a superhero fighting invisible enemies.”
“The company had to fend off several hostile takeover attempts this year.”
“He fended off his mother's questions about his love life by suddenly becoming very interested in washing dishes.”
“The goalkeeper managed to fend off three shots in the final minutes.”
📚Related Words
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