fight off
fight off {v. phr.}
1. To struggle against someone so as to free oneself; push an attacker back.
Suzy fought off her two attackers in Central Park with a couple of karate chops.
2. To strive to overcome something negative.
After twelve hours at the computer terminal, Jane had to fight off her overwhelming desire to go to sleep.
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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms
