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Ahhh - literal. I was thinking figuratively

Both.

Literal: move the blade / cutting edge away from you.

Figurative: apply hazardous effort in a manner that it dissipates in the direction or mode of least harm.

My father in law has one rule: Don't get any blood on it.

My granddad being a woodworking teacher, I learned that lesson early on.

However when redecorating my house there were several occasions where it simply was not possible to do that. I usually countered my cutting hand with my "free" hand, effectively pushing my cutting hand away from my body as I performed the cut. At least then I had pretty good control in the event my blade were to slip.