frightens off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "frightens off" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of causing someone or something to leave or stay away due to fear or intimidation. Example: "The loud noise from the construction site frightens off the birds that usually nest in the area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It frightens off the hired help and even insists on narrating some of the story.

The New York Times - Books

The largest cannon in the world frightens off Germans with its lion-face.

Vice

And I worry that it frightens off a lot of good people who might become involved in politics, either as a policy-maker, or as someone who writes about politics.

Huffington Post

A parent in India smudges her newborn’s forehead with charcoal or smoke, holding that black averts the evil eye and frightens off harmful spirits.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 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

But Peru has paid a high price for frightening off investors in the past.

The Economist

The local MP called veer (brave) Savarkar a "ferocious, dangerous man who frightened off the British".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "frightens off" when you want to emphasize that fear is the primary reason for someone or something avoiding a situation or place. It is particularly effective when describing reactions to perceived threats or dangers.

Common error

While "frightens off" is a valid phrasal verb, it can sound less formal than alternatives like "deters" or "discourages" in certain professional or academic settings. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "frightens off" functions as a predicate describing an action where something causes another entity to become scared and, consequently, avoid or leave a place or situation. Ludwig confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "frightens off" is a grammatically sound phrasal verb that describes the action of deterring someone or something through fear. While Ludwig indicates it is correct, its relatively low frequency suggests it's best used in contexts where a slightly informal tone is acceptable. More formal alternatives like "deters" or "discourages" may be preferable in academic or professional writing. It appears most frequently in news and formal business contexts. This usage guide should help you effectively incorporate "frightens off" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scares away

This alternative emphasizes the act of causing fear, leading to avoidance.

deters

This alternative focuses on discouraging through potential negative consequences.

wards off

This suggests preventing something from happening or approaching.

repels

This alternative highlights causing something to move away due to aversion.

discourages

This option emphasizes the act of making someone less likely to do something.

turns away

Focuses on causing someone or something to change direction and leave.

keeps at bay

Highlights maintaining a distance to prevent harm or interference.

holds back

This indicates preventing movement or progress.

puts off

This suggests causing someone to lose interest or enthusiasm.

intimidates

This emphasizes the use of fear to control or deter.

FAQs

What does "frightens off" mean?

"Frightens off" means to cause someone or something to leave or stay away due to fear or intimidation. It implies that the fear is the primary motivator for avoidance.

What can I say instead of "frightens off"?

You can use alternatives like "scares away", "deters", or "repels", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "frightens off" formal or informal?

"Frightens off" is generally considered to be more informal. In professional or academic writing, consider using more formal alternatives like "deters" or "discourages".

How to use "frightens off" in a sentence?

Example: "The loud noise from the construction site "scares away" the birds that usually nest in the area."