Definition of "beat off" []

• To drive something away with blows or military force. Now often used figuratively. (verb)
• (chiefly US, Canada) To masturbate, usually a man of himself. (verb)
• To waste time. (verb)

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• "On June 2, 1940, fighting a two-day rear-guard action to cover the withdrawal of the British Army from Norway, the Hurricane and Gloster squad - rons flew seventy-five sorties, fought twenty-four engagements, brought down nine enemy aircraft without a loss and beat off every attempt of the M. E.110s to dive-bomb shipping congregated at Harstad."
• "With some little effort he had beat off the next dog that bit at him, striking at it with short downward blows like tamping dirt around a new-set post."
• "Pate again beat off the hard-striking blue-coats—but in so doing yielded his life.4"