ward off
to stop something bad happening
TRANSLATION
to ward off = to abwenden to ward off sb./sth. = jdn./etw. abwehren, abwenden to ward off evil = das Böse abwehren to ward off a blow = einen Hieb/Schlag abwehren to ward off a danger = eine Gefahr abwenden to ward off an attack = einen Angriff abwehren --- GOOGLE INDEX ward off: approximately 8,260,000 Google hits
STATISTICS
IN THE PRESS
Fish diet could WARD OFF depression - Eating a lot of fish may help protect against depression, research suggests.
BBC News
BBC News
Did you
know?
to ward off
phrasal verb
- to prevent someone or something unpleasant from harming or coming close to you
(Cambridge Dictionary)
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In Old English, a ward was a guard, watchman, or a sentry. A related word is warden, the guard in a prison. From the 14th century, the word ward was also used for talking about administrative districts (primarily in the sense of guardianship). Beginning in the mid-1700s, it was used to refer to divisions in a hospital.
When used as a verb, ward is usually combined with "off". So you can ward off threats from your enemies with the help of a watchman, you can seek safety from criminals by living in a guarded neighbourhood, or you can protect yourself from illness by separating yourself from those who have diseases.
In some cases, certain activity may be required to help you to block a threat. For example, you might wear garlic around your neck to ward off vampires.
A recent study shows that multiple tattoos may help people to ward off colds, thanks to the body's response to the procedure.
By the way, the word ward rhymes with board or cord, not with card.
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SYNONYMS
avert, avoid, beat off, block, divert, defend, guard
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SMUGGLE OWAD into today's conversation
"If we reduce our prices now we will gain enough market share to ward off the competition."
phrasal verb
- to prevent someone or something unpleasant from harming or coming close to you
(Cambridge Dictionary)
---
In Old English, a ward was a guard, watchman, or a sentry. A related word is warden, the guard in a prison. From the 14th century, the word ward was also used for talking about administrative districts (primarily in the sense of guardianship). Beginning in the mid-1700s, it was used to refer to divisions in a hospital.
When used as a verb, ward is usually combined with "off". So you can ward off threats from your enemies with the help of a watchman, you can seek safety from criminals by living in a guarded neighbourhood, or you can protect yourself from illness by separating yourself from those who have diseases.
In some cases, certain activity may be required to help you to block a threat. For example, you might wear garlic around your neck to ward off vampires.
A recent study shows that multiple tattoos may help people to ward off colds, thanks to the body's response to the procedure.
By the way, the word ward rhymes with board or cord, not with card.
---
SYNONYMS
avert, avoid, beat off, block, divert, defend, guard
---
SMUGGLE OWAD into today's conversation
"If we reduce our prices now we will gain enough market share to ward off the competition."
