Phrasal verb
stave off
Definition
phrasal verb. to stop something bad from happening now, or to delay it until a later time.
phrasal verb. to avert or delay something undesirable or harmful temporarily. Transitive; implies a proactive effort to hold back an inevitable or threatening event.
Examples
“He ate a snack to stave off his hunger.”
“The company sold its extra property to stave off bankruptcy for another few months.”
“The central bank raised interest rates in a desperate attempt to stave off a total collapse of the national currency.”
Examples
simple
“He ate a snack to stave off his hunger.”
contextual
“The company sold its extra property to stave off bankruptcy for another few months.”
complex
“The central bank raised interest rates in a desperate attempt to stave off a total collapse of the national currency.”
Usage
usually followed by an abstract negative noun like hunger, disaster, or ruin.
Teaching tip
the verb 'stave' comes from 'staff' (a stick); imagine using a stick to push something dangerous away from you to help students visualize the 'delaying' aspect.
Pitfall
They tried to stave off of the crisis.
They tried to stave off the crisis.
the phrase is followed directly by an object; do not add 'of' after 'off'.
Phrasal verb
Particles
off
Separability
optional
Pattern
stave + off + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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