claw off

verb

1. adverb, usually tr nautical to avoid the dangers of (a lee shore or other hazard) by beating

Example Sentences

“The windward side of a ship is the side the wind’s coming from. The lee side is the other side of the ship. If a storm drives you toward land on your lee side, that’s about the most dangerous thing that can happen to you. Your ship has to ‘claw off’ that lee shore—fight against the storm.

From Literature

If your ship can’t claw off, then you’ll heave an anchor to windward, to try to hold the ship where she is.

From Literature

“I hope so, son. But you’d better claw off that lee shore. You’ve lost your anchor to windward.”

From Literature

One victim said a day would never go by that she did not "feel his hands on me and want to claw off my own skin".

From BBC

I want to claw off my own face.

From Literature