fight off
[verb]
Synonyms: repel, beat off, keep or hold at bay, repress, repulse, resist, stave off, ward off

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

fight somebody/something ↔ off phrasal verb (see also fight)

1. to keep someone away, or stop them doing something to you, by fighting or opposing them:
Bodyguards had to fight off the crowds.
The company managed to fight off a takeover attempt.

2. to succeed in stopping other people getting something, and to get it for yourself:
Allan fought off stiff competition from throughout the UK to win one of only four places at the college.

3. to try hard to get rid of something, especially an illness or a feeling:
Elaine’s fighting off a cold.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

fight off
fight off (something)
1.
to get rid of something, esp. an illness.
Her body couldn't fight the infection off.

2.
to keep yourself from doing something you should not do.
I was trying to fight off the urge to sneak into the kitchen for something to eat.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of fight off (= to use physical force against someone)

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

fight off something
fight off (something)
1.
to get rid of something, esp. an illness.
Her body couldn't fight the infection off.

2.
to keep yourself from doing something you should not do.
I was trying to fight off the urge to sneak into the kitchen for something to eat.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of fight off (= to use physical force against someone)

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

fight off
v. phr.
1. To struggle against someone so as to free oneself; push an attacker back.
Suzy fought off her two attackers in Central Park with a couple of karate chops.
2. To strive to overcome something negative.
After twelve hours at the computer terminal, Jane had to fight off her overwhelming desire to go to sleep.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲