stave off

stop or delay something bad from happening

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What does "stave sth off" mean?

To stave off something means to prevent or delay a negative outcome — often one that feels threatening, large-scale, or difficult to avoid. The phrase carries a strong sense of effort and urgency: the subject (a government, a company, a medical treatment, a person) is actively working against something that might otherwise take hold. Crucially, staving something off often implies only partial or temporary success — the threat is held back, but not necessarily defeated. This makes it different from simply 'preventing' something, which sounds more final and assured. You will encounter this phrasal verb most often in journalism, business reporting, and formal commentary — phrases like 'stave off recession', 'stave off collapse', or 'stave off the inevitable' are characteristic of its typical range.

Examples

How to use it

subject + stave off + noun phrase (negative outcome)

The most common pattern: an active agent works to prevent something bad. The object always follows 'off' and should refer to something clearly negative.

The central bank cut interest rates in an attempt to stave off a full-scale financial crisis.

stave off + noun phrase + time expression

A time expression such as 'temporarily', 'for now', or 'for another year' is often added to emphasise that the success is partial or short-lived.

The emergency aid package staved off collapse, but only temporarily.

manage to + stave off + noun phrase

Using 'manage to' reinforces the sense of struggle and effort that is typical of this phrasal verb.

Against all expectations, the company managed to stave off bankruptcy through a last-minute restructuring deal.

in an attempt / effort to + stave off + noun phrase

This construction is common in formal and journalistic writing, framing the action as a deliberate but uncertain bid to prevent a bad outcome.

The minister announced a series of emergency reforms in an effort to stave off a deeper political crisis.

subject (measure / treatment / intervention) + stave off + noun phrase

The subject does not have to be a person — policies, medicines, or interventions can also stave things off.

A course of antibiotics helped stave off a serious chest infection.

Common Collocations

stave off bankruptcystave off disasterstave off recessionstave off collapsestave off hungerstave off the inevitable

Common Mistakes

Separating the verb and particle

Although 'stave off' is technically separable, native speakers almost never split it. Placing the object between 'stave' and 'off' sounds unnatural and should be avoided.

✗ The government tried to stave the recession off.
✓ The government tried to stave off the recession.
Using it for neutral or minor situations

'Stave off' specifically describes preventing something dangerous, threatening, or large-scale. Using it for everyday inconveniences or neutral events sounds odd and mismatches its formal, urgent tone.

✗ I had a biscuit to stave off boredom during the meeting.
✓ I had a biscuit to stave off hunger during the long journey.
Confusing it with 'put off'

'Put off' means to postpone something, and it works with neutral or even positive events. 'Stave off' specifically implies resisting or delaying something bad. Using 'stave off' where 'put off' is meant changes the meaning significantly.

✗ She staved off her dentist appointment until next month.
✓ She put off her dentist appointment until next month.

Usage

This phrasal verb is formal and much more common in written English — especially journalism and business writing — than in everyday conversation. It almost always describes preventing something large-scale and negative, so avoid using it for small, everyday inconveniences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'stave off' always suggest the problem comes back later?

Not always, but the implication is often there. 'Stave off' carries a connotation of temporary or hard-won success rather than complete resolution. Writers frequently reinforce this by adding phrases like 'for now' or 'temporarily', but even without them, the verb tends to suggest the threat has been delayed rather than destroyed.

Can I use 'stave off' in the continuous form, like 'is staving off'?

This sounds unnatural in most contexts. 'Stave off' describes an effort or outcome rather than an ongoing process, so the continuous form feels awkward. Stick to the simple past, present perfect, or infinitive — for example, 'staved off', 'has staved off', or 'to stave off'.

Is 'stave off' suitable for spoken English?

It is possible in formal spoken contexts — a politician's speech or a business presentation, for instance — but it is rarely used in casual conversation. In everyday speech, people are more likely to say 'prevent' or 'hold off'. If you use 'stave off' in informal conversation, it may sound overly formal.

What kinds of things can be staved off?

Typically large-scale, abstract negative outcomes: financial collapse, recession, bankruptcy, crisis, defeat, illness, or decline are all classic collocates. The expression 'stave off the inevitable' is also very common and means to delay something that is ultimately going to happen regardless of one's efforts.

Can I use 'ward off' or 'fend off' instead of 'stave off'?

'Ward off' is slightly more informal and works well for physical threats, illness, or even superstitious dangers (like warding off bad luck). 'Fend off' suggests active, often physical resistance to a direct attack or unwanted pressure. 'Stave off' is the most formal of the three and is particularly associated with large-scale, often abstract threats like economic or political crises.

Related Phrasal Verbs

head sth off

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