ward off

stop something bad or harmful from reaching you

C1

What does "ward sth off" mean?

To ward off something means to stop something harmful from reaching you or affecting you — usually before it has a chance to take hold. The key idea is prevention or protection: you are creating a kind of barrier against a threat. It is commonly used in health contexts (warding off illness, infection, or fatigue), but it also appears in folklore and superstition (warding off evil spirits or bad luck), and in everyday situations (warding off unwanted attention or negativity). What makes this phrasal verb distinctive is its slightly protective, even mystical flavour — it suggests an active shield rather than just a casual block. You will often see it in the pattern 'help ward off', as in 'A good diet can help ward off disease.'

Examples

How to use it

ward off + harmful thing

The most common structure: the subject is a protective agent and the object is the harmful thing being prevented.

Vitamin C is often thought to ward off colds during winter.

ward + pronoun + off

When the object is a pronoun, it must go between 'ward' and 'off' — this is the main context where separation is required.

Mosquitoes were swarming around us, but the spray managed to ward them off.

help + ward off + harmful thing

A very natural and frequent pattern, where 'ward off' follows a verb like 'help' in the infinitive form.

Regular physical activity can help ward off fatigue and low mood.

ward + short object + off

Separation is possible with short, concrete noun phrases, though the unseparated form is more common.

The old charm was believed to ward danger off before travellers began their journey.

be used to ward off + harmful thing

This pattern describes the purpose of a substance, practice, or ritual in providing protection.

Certain herbs have been used for centuries to ward off infection and disease.

Common Collocations

ward off coldsward off illnessward off evil spiritsward off dangerward off infectionward off unwanted attention

Common Mistakes

Confusing 'ward off' with 'fight off'

'Ward off' is about prevention — stopping something harmful before it takes hold. 'Fight off' describes struggling against something that is already attacking or affecting you. If you already have a cold, you fight it off; if you're trying not to get one, you ward it off.

✗ I was already feeling terrible, but I took some vitamins to ward off the flu.
✓ I was already feeling terrible, but I took some vitamins to fight off the flu.
Separating with a long or complex object

Placing a long noun phrase between 'ward' and 'off' sounds awkward and unnatural. Keep the phrasal verb together when the object is more than one or two words.

✗ The vaccine helped ward a wide range of serious seasonal infections off.
✓ The vaccine helped ward off a wide range of serious seasonal infections.
Using the passive form

'Ward off' rarely works in the passive. In natural English, the protective agent is the subject doing the warding off, and the harmful thing is the object — restructure to keep this active pattern.

✗ Depression can be warded off by regular exercise.
✓ Regular exercise can ward off depression.

Usage

Ward off is neutral in register and works in everyday conversation, health articles, and more literary or superstitious contexts. It is slightly more formal or elevated than 'keep off' and is common in the pattern 'help ward off' (e.g. 'Exercise can help ward off depression').

Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of things can be the subject of 'ward off'?

The subject is typically something that acts as a protective agent — garlic, a vaccine, exercise, a ritual, warm clothing, an amulet, and so on. It is the thing doing the protecting, not the person being protected. For example: 'Lavender is said to ward off insects' or 'Daily meditation can ward off stress'.

Does 'ward off' always have a slightly superstitious or old-fashioned feel?

Not always — it is used perfectly naturally in modern health and wellness contexts with no folkloric connotation at all, such as 'ward off colds' or 'ward off fatigue'. However, it does carry a slightly elevated or literary tone compared to 'keep off', and it fits very naturally in mystical or superstitious contexts like 'ward off evil spirits' or 'ward off a curse'. This flexibility is part of what makes it distinctive.

Can 'ward off' be used for abstract or emotional things, not just illness?

Yes, absolutely. 'Ward off' extends naturally to abstract threats like negativity, depression, loneliness, bad luck, or unwanted attention. For example: 'She kept herself busy to ward off feelings of anxiety' or 'The gesture was meant to ward off bad luck'. This makes it a versatile verb beyond purely physical or medical contexts.

Is it natural to use 'ward off' in the present continuous?

Yes, the present continuous is possible, especially to describe an ongoing protective effort: 'She's been taking supplements to ward off the infection'. However, the simple present and infinitive forms (particularly after 'help' or modal verbs) are more frequent in everyday use.

Does 'ward off' have other meanings I should know about?

The core sense of 'ward off' is consistently about preventing something harmful — it doesn't have sharply distinct alternative senses in the way some phrasal verbs do. The meaning stays close to protective prevention whether used literally or figuratively.

Related Phrasal Verbs

fend sb/sth off

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