1
general::
1. Turn aside, parry, as in He tried to ward off her blows. [Second half of 1500s] 2. Try to prevent, avert, as in She took vitamin C to ward off a cold. [Mid-1700s]
American Heritage Idioms
2
general::
Phrase(s): ward someone or something off
to hold someone or something off; to fight someone or something off. • The army was able to ward the attackers off repeatedly. • We couldn’t ward off the attackers any longer.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs