Grammar fix
ward off
fend off (something negative or harmful)
to prevent something unpleasant, dangerous, or unwanted from affecting you, often by taking action in advance
phrasal verbC1occasional
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
She drinks herbal tea every morning to ward off colds during the winter.
Many people believe that regular exercise can help ward off stress and improve overall wellbeing.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: He waved off the attack.
Say: He warded off the attack.
It's 'ward off' (fend off), not 'wave off' (dismiss / say goodbye).
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Ward off' is the idiomatic verb for keeping something bad at bay; the paraphrase is wordy.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
ward off + threat
- a cold
- attackers
- evil
- hunger