Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1200-1300
Origin: defend

fend

 verb
     
fend

fend for yourself

to look after yourself without needing help from other people:
The kids had to fend for themselves while their parents were away.

fend somebody/something off

phrasal verb
1 to defend yourself against someone who is attacking you [= fight somebody ↔ off]:
Tabitha threw up an arm to fend her attacker off.
2 to defend yourself from something such as difficult questions, competition, or a situation you do not want to deal with:
She uses her secretary to fend off unwanted phone calls.
The company managed to fend off the hostile takeover bid.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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