fend off (someone)

1. to stop someone from coming too near to you.

She was never very good at fending off the boys.

2. to stop someone from hurting you.

The young woman was able to fend off the robber.

Related vocabulary: ward off someone/something

• be spick and span
• be spitting in the wind
• be spitting into the wind
• be spoiling for a fight
• be spoilt for choice
• be spoon-fed
• be staring in the face
• be staring someone in the face
• be stark raving mad
• best bet
• best bib and tucker
• best of both worlds
• best of the best
• best of the lot
• be straining at the leash
• be streets ahead
• be strictly for the birds
• be strong point
• be strong suit
• best thing since sliced bread
• be stuck in a groove
• be stuck in a rut
• be tailor-made
• be talking out of both sides of mouth
• be talking out of both sides of your mouth