1
general::
verb PHRASAL VERBS fend for yourself VERB + FEND be able to | be left to, have to The children were left to fend for themselves.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
2
general::
fend sth off
[ M ]
to avoid dealing with something that is unpleasant or difficult
• Somehow she managed to fend off the awkward questions., fend for yourself
[ R ]
to take care of and provide for yourself without depending on anyone else
• Now that the children are old enough to fend for themselves, we can go away on holiday by ourselves., fend sb off
[ M ]
to push or send away an attacker or other unwanted person
• He managed to fend off his attackers with a stick.
• She spent the entire evening fending off unwanted admirers.
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs