fend off

phrasal verb
1
to defend or protect yourself from something/somebody that is attacking you
دفع کردن, جلوگیری کردن از
synonym fight off, ward off
2
to protect yourself from difficult questions, criticisms, etc., especially by avoiding them
دفع کردن, طفره رفتن, حفظ کردن خود از
She managed to fend off questions about new tax increases.
The Prime Minister fended off three challenges to her leadership.
synonym ward off