Use 'stave off' when expressing urgent prevention of something negative happening soon.

Immediacy

'Stave off' implies actively working against a threat, not passively avoiding it.

Active Effort

Often, 'stave off' suggests a temporary solution, not a permanent fix.

Use it when you want to describe delaying trouble or something you dread.

Frequently used in financial contexts involving debts or payments.

'Stave off' might imply the measure is temporary and the problem could return.