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@Work
2007.09.27(Review of 2004.05.31 edition)

Hello!

Garlic does it for vampires, a “teru-teru bozu” does it for rain, and bottles of water do it for stray cats. Now what do you suppose “it” is?

Today's LessonCATEGORY: イディオム
WARD OFF   ～を避ける、防ぐ

Explanation

  • To ward off something bad or unpleasant is to keep it away or prevent it from happening.
  • ward off は、悪いものや、好ましくないものを遠ざけておく、そうしたことが起こるのを防ぐ、という意味です。

WARD OFF

examples

  1. (fictional news report)
    The central bank raised interest rates again today in an effort to ward off inflation.
  2. (CEO briefing the board of directors)
    It is my belief that the recall will help ward off further criticism and damaging PR.
  3. The school district has decided to stop using the controversial textbook in order to ward off lawsuits from angry parents groups.
  4. We encourage all employees to wash their hands regularly to ward off colds and flu.
  5. a: What's that?
    b: It's a Japanese “omamori”. It's supposed to ward off bad luck.

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