managed to repel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "managed to repel" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a successful effort to drive away or resist something, such as an attack or an unwanted influence. Example: "The soldiers managed to repel the enemy forces during the night attack."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

They managed to repel the move.

The Economist

Government forces managed to repel the rebels only after intense firefights, which are unusual in Khartoum.

The New York Times

He told the inquest his men managed to repel the attackers.

Independent

The visitors managed to repel the forward surges but the ball was spread wide for James Lowe to sneak in at the far left-hand corner.

The Guardian - Sport

This is important, because they managed to repel Isis with far fewer resources than their Arab counterparts fighting Isis and Assad elsewhere in the country, as well as their Kurdish counterparts in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Independent

Cattermole was booked for a late challenge and Huth was lucky not to receive a second card for any number of offences, while Hamshaw continued to send crosses over from the right, which the visitors managed to repel.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Like the heroine of "Broadcast News," it manages to repel the person it's trying to seduce.

The New Yorker

Only veterinary science and agriculture manage to repel minority students more effectively.

The Guardian - Opinion

When White House advisers formulate a position that they believe is correct but which manages to repel everyone, they say that they have "hit the sweet spot".

The New Yorker

Thanks to the early warning, Elrond's forces in Rivendell manage to repel the Goblins' attacks.

Wikipedia

"They're not here to fish!" The Maersk Alabama almost manages to repel the pirates, but the Somalis are determined.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the level of formality required. While "managed to repel" is generally suitable for neutral and professional contexts, more formal situations might benefit from synonyms like "successfully resisted" or "effectively defended against".

Common error

Avoid using "managed to repel" when the situation involves simply avoiding something without direct confrontation or resistance. "Repel" implies an active force being pushed back, not just passively avoided.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "managed to repel" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the successful achievement of an action. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is used to describe instances where someone or something effectively resisted or drove back an opposing force or influence. Examples show its usage in military, political, and even abstract contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

25%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "managed to repel" is a versatile and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the successful resistance against a force or influence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly found in news and media contexts, often highlighting situations where effort was required to achieve the defensive outcome. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives like "successfully resisted" or "effectively defended against" might be preferred in certain situations. Remember to use "managed to repel" only when there is a clear element of active resistance, and avoid redundant phrases like "managed to repel against".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

succeeded in warding off

Replaces "managed" with "succeeded" and "repel" with "warding off", implying a successful defensive action.

successfully fended off

Substitutes "managed" with "successfully" and "repel" with "fended off", suggesting a successful effort to resist or defend against an attack.

were able to fight off

Replaces "managed to repel" with "were able to fight off", indicating the capability to resist an attack.

effectively resisted

Condenses the phrase to emphasize the effectiveness of the resistance.

successfully defended against

Focuses on the act of defense and successful achievement thereof.

held off

A shorter, more informal way of saying they prevented an advance or attack.

thwarted

Emphasizes the prevention of an action or plan, often implying a cunning or strategic element.

staved off

Suggests averting something negative or dangerous, often with effort and difficulty.

repulsed

A more formal and direct synonym for "repel", emphasizing a forceful pushing back.

withstood

Highlights the ability to endure and resist pressure or attack.

FAQs

How can I use "managed to repel" in a sentence?

Use "managed to repel" to describe a situation where someone or something successfully resisted an attack, influence, or advance. For example, "The army "managed to repel" the invasion", or "The company "managed to repel" the hostile takeover attempt".

What are some alternatives to "managed to repel"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "successfully fended off", "effectively resisted", or "succeeded in warding off". These phrases convey similar meanings but may have different connotations.

Is it correct to say "managed to repel against"?

No, the phrase "managed to repel against" is redundant. "Repel" already implies resistance against something, so adding "against" is unnecessary. Use "managed to repel" followed by the target of the resistance.

What's the difference between "managed to repel" and "repelled"?

"Managed to repel" indicates both the attempt and the success in resisting something. Simply saying "repelled" focuses only on the act of resistance without explicitly mentioning the effort involved. For example, "They "managed to repel" the attack after a long fight" emphasizes the effort, while "They repelled the attack" simply states the outcome.