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to put something out of the way; to move (something, someone) aside
「退ける」 has other readings with different meanings.
彼は競争相手を次々と見事に退けた。
He magnificently defeated competitors one after another.
敵軍を国境から退けることに成功した。
We succeeded in repelling the enemy from the border.
邪魔者を退けて目標を見事に達成した。
I achieved my goal by removing obstacles.