prevent the occurrence of; prevent from happening; "Let's avoid a confrontation"; "head off a confrontation"; "avert a strike"
turn from a straight course, fixed direction, or line of interest
turn aside and away from an initial or intended course
draw someone's attention away from something; "The thief distracted the bystanders"; "He deflected his competitors"
impede the movement of (an opponent or a ball); "block an attack"
