frighten off

USAGE SUMMARY

'frighten off' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrasal verb which means to scare someone away, or drive them away with threats or fear. For example, "The sound of the alarm frightened off the burglars".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

At least one witness yelled out the window to frighten off the attacker.

The New Yorker

But any such clause would frighten off former remainers who envisage a more pro-European future.

The Guardian - Opinion

Roosevelt sent the Navy down to frighten off the Italians and all other snarling Europeans.

The New York Times

The Ferghana news site suggested that the attack could frighten off tourists.

The New York Times

I am afraid to frighten off the people hiding the bodies.

The Guardian

Waves of separatist, sectarian, and Islamist violence take thousands of lives annually and frighten off foreign investors.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

That has frightened off foreign companies.

The Economist

Investors have been frightened off by the political debate.

The Economist

The Syria-hardened fighters aren't easily frightened off.

The Economist

This experience has frightened off many cities since.

The Economist

Yet the noise may have frightened off the assailants.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "frighten off" when you want to convey a sense of deterrence through fear or intimidation. It's particularly effective when describing actions taken to prevent unwanted approaches or behaviors.

Common error

Avoid using "frighten off" in a passive construction where the actor is unclear. For example, instead of "Potential investors were frightened off", specify the cause: "High tax rates frightened off potential investors".

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "frighten off" primarily functions as a verb, indicating an action performed on someone or something, that results in them being deterred, scared or driven away. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Encyclopedias

9%

Science

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "frighten off" is a versatile and commonly used expression that means to deter someone or something through fear or intimidation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and suitability for written English. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts. When using "frighten off", ensure clarity by specifying what is causing the fear, and consider alternatives like ""scare away"" or ""deter"" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scare away

Focuses more on the immediate act of causing fear leading to departure.

deter

Implies preventing an action through fear or doubt, not necessarily causing immediate flight.

ward off

Suggests preventing something from approaching or affecting, often used for intangible threats.

drive away

Focuses on the action of forcing someone or something to leave.

keep at bay

Indicates maintaining a safe distance to prevent harm or intrusion.

repel

Implies a forceful rejection or pushing back, often against an advance.

discourage

Suggests creating doubt or unease to prevent someone from doing something.

dissuade

Emphasizes convincing someone not to do something through reasoning or persuasion.

put off

Implies causing someone to lose interest or enthusiasm.

avert

Suggests turning away or preventing something undesirable from happening.

FAQs

How can I use "frighten off" in a sentence?

Use "frighten off" to describe an action that deters someone or something through fear. For example, "The loud noise was meant to "scare away" the birds", or "High prices "deter" potential buyers".

What are some alternatives to saying "frighten off"?

Depending on the nuance you want to convey, you can use alternatives like ""scare away"", ""deter"", or "ward off".

Is it correct to say "frightened off" or should it be "scared off"?

"Frightened off" and "scared off" are both correct and have similar meanings. The choice often depends on the desired tone, with "frightened off" sometimes sounding slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "frighten off" and "drive away"?

"Frighten off" implies deterring through fear, while "drive away" suggests a more active and forceful removal. You might "frighten off" birds with a scarecrow, but "drive away" protesters with police action.