- stave off
- verbprevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening (Freq. 3)-
Let's avoid a confrontation
-head off a confrontation
-avert a strike
• Syn:• Derivationally related forms: ↑avoidable (for: ↑avoid), ↑avertible (for: ↑avert), ↑avertable (for: ↑avert), ↑obviation (for: ↑obviate)• Verb Frames:-Somebody ——s something
-Something ——s something
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transitive verb1. : to beat off (an animal or person) with or as if with a staff or rod : drive or fight offoften had to stave off creditors — W.A.Swanberg
3. : to forestall or prevent (something adverse) especially at the last moment or in extremity : deflect, avertthe last form of credit that staved off foreclosure — New Republic
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ˌstave ˈoff [transitive] [present tense I/you/we/they stave off he/she/it staves off present participle staving off past tense staved off past participle staved off] phrasal verbto stop something from happeningWe’re still trying to stave off a trade war with the US.
Main entry: stave* * *
stave off [phrasal verb]stave (someone or something) off or stave off (someone or something) : to keep (someone or something) away usually for a short timeHe's trying to stave off his creditors.
She ate a few crackers to stave off hunger. [=to prevent herself from getting too hungry]
• • •Main Entry: ↑stave
Useful english dictionary. 2012.