What does it mean to 'forestall' something?

To 'forestall' something means to take action in advance to prevent it from happening or to hinder its occurrence. The term is often used in contexts where someone anticipates a potential problem or event and proactively intervenes to ensure it does not happen. For example, if a manager foresees a drop in team motivation, they might implement new team-building activities to forestall any decline in productivity.

In this case, the correct choice directly aligns with the definition of 'forestall,' highlighting the proactive nature of the action taken. The other options either suggest a passive approach or indicate behaviors that contradict the fundamental meaning of 'forestall.' Allowing events to unfold freely, delaying something without managing its outcome, or encouraging the occurrence of an event are all contrary to the intent of taking steps to stop or prevent an event from transpiring.