Definition

1. Verb:
   • To resist or defend against an attack, threat, or illness by using force or effort.
   • To succeed in overcoming or keeping something undesirable at bay.

Usage

The verb "fight off" is transitive and requires a direct object. It describes an active, often strenuous, effort to repel something. It is commonly used in both physical and metaphorical contexts.

Examples

• Physical Attack/Threat:
  • The security guard had to fight off the intruder.
  • She fought off the wild dog with a stick.
• Illness:
  • He is taking vitamins to help his body fight off the cold.
  • Her immune system successfully fought off the infection.
• Metaphorical Threat/Undesirable Feeling:
  • I had to fight off the urge to eat another piece of cake.
  • She fought off a feeling of despair.

Advanced Usage

• "to fight off sleep": to actively try to stay awake.
  • He drank coffee to fight off sleep during the long drive.
• "to fight off a takeover": (in business) to resist an attempt by another company to gain control.
  • The company's board is fighting off a hostile takeover bid.

Variants and Related Words

• Fightback (n): A campaign of resistance.
  • The team staged a remarkable fightback in the second half.
• Repel (v): A more formal synonym meaning to drive back or resist effectively.
• Rebuff (v): To reject someone or something in an abrupt or ungracious manner, often used in the context of rejecting an advance or offer.

Synonyms

• Repel
• Ward off
• Keep at bay
• Resist
• Defend against

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Fight back: To defend oneself by fighting; to retaliate.
  • After the initial shock, the community began to fight back against the new regulations.
• Hold off: To resist or keep something away, often for a period of time.
  • Can you hold off the reporters until I'm ready to make a statement?

Related Idioms

• Hold the line: To maintain a position against an attack or pressure.
  • Our job is to hold the line and fight off any criticism until the project is complete.
• Beat back: To force to retreat.
  • Firefighters worked tirelessly to beat back the flames.

Verb

1. force or drive back
   • repel the attacker
   • fight off the onslaught
   • rebuff the attack