# fend for

CEFR C1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fend-for
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to take care of yourself without any help from other people.

For teachers: to provide for one's own needs or to defend oneself without assistance from others; often used in contexts of survival or forced independence.

## Examples

- The children had to fend for themselves while their parents were away.
- When the company went bankrupt, the employees were left to fend for themselves in a tough job market.
- After the collapse of the central government, local communities were forced to fend for themselves against rising insecurity and food shortages.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He had to fend for him." but "He had to fend for himself." — this phrase requires a reflexive pronoun because the subject and the object are the same person.

## Usage notes

- almost always used with a reflexive pronoun like 'myself', 'yourself', or 'themselves'.
- Teaching tip: point out that while 'fend off' means to push away an attacker, 'fend for' is about providing resources and care for oneself.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.