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.
Categories: desire verb
Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms

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