fend /fend/ BrE AmE verb
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Origin: defend ]
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 SYN 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.