fight off

To try to stop an illness, feeling, or other unwanted condition from affecting you.

• I'm fighting off a cold.
• She fought off tears while saying goodbye.
• He drank coffee to fight off sleep during the night shift.

How to use it: fight off something (Your body needs rest to fight off the infection.)

Similar words: resist, ward off, fend off

Opposites: succumb to

Common phrases: fight off an infection, fight off sleep, fight off tears

To stop an attack or challenge by struggling successfully against it.

• They fought off the attackers.
• The team fought off a strong challenge from their rivals.
• Can the small company fight off competition from larger firms?

How to use it: fight off someone/something (The guards fought off the attackers.)

Similar words: repel, beat back, fend off

Common phrases: fight off an attack, fight off attackers, fight off competition

To attack someone fiercely in a fight.

• He fought off his opponent fiercely.
• The two men fought each other off with angry blows.
• She was fighting him off, punching and kicking wildly.

How to use it: fight off someone (He fought off his opponent with fierce punches.)

Similar words: attack, assault

Common phrases: fight off someone, fight off an opponent