1
general::
Keep or hold away, repel, as in The Federal Reserve Board is determined to stave off inflation. This metaphoric expression transfers beating something off with a staff or stave to nonphysical repulsion. [c. 1600]
American Heritage Idioms
2
general::
Phrase(s): stave someone or something off
to hold someone or something off; to defend against the attack of someone or something. (See also stave something off.) • The citizen was not able to stave the mugger off. • The army staved off the attackers for three hours without letup., Phrase(s): stave something off
to delay or postpone something unwanted, such as hunger, foreclosure, death, etc. (See also stave someone or something off.) • He could stave his thirst off no longer. Despite the enemy sentries, he made a dash for the stream. • The lost hiker could not stave off her hunger any longer.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs