Synonyms and antonyms of To defend or protect yourself in British Thesaurus

fight off ()

to stop someone who is trying to attack you

fend off ()

to defend yourself against an attack

stand up to ()

to not allow yourself to be treated badly, especially by someone in authority

parry (verb)

to push something to the side, especially in order to defend yourself from attack

hold off ()

to stop someone who is trying to attack you from coming close

beat off ()

to prevent someone from physically attacking you by hitting them with your hands or with an object

deflect (verb)

to direct criticism, attention, or blame away from yourself towards someone else

fight your corner ()

to defend your opinions when criticized by other people

cover yourself ()

to take action to protect yourself against criticism, blame, or legal problems

cling (verb)

to stay very close to someone, usually because you want them to protect you

batten down the hatches ()

to prepare for a difficult or dangerous situation by taking action to protect yourself

close ranks ()

to join with a group to support and protect yourselves against someone outside your group who is criticizing or attacking you

cover your arse (British)

Britishimpolite to do or say something that prevents other people blaming or criticizing you

drive off ()

to force someone to go away, especially when they are attacking or threatening you

fend off ()

to protect yourself from a criticism or difficulty by ignoring it or not dealing directly with it

have your day in court ()

to get the opportunity to defend yourself from criticism

keep/hold something at bay ()

to prevent something serious, dangerous, or unpleasant from affecting you

not take crap from someone (impolite)

impolite to not let someone behave in an unpleasant or unfair way towards you

not take something lying down ()

to show that you will not accept unfair treatment by complaining about it or trying to change it

repel (verb)

to force someone who is attacking to move back or to stop attacking

repulse (verb)

formal to force an army or other group of people to move backwards and stop attacking you

shelter (verb)

to stay somewhere where you are protected from bad weather

shelter (verb)

to stay in a place where you are protected from danger

stand/hold your ground ()

to not move when someone attacks you or is going to attack you

ward off ()

to do something to prevent someone or something from harming you