scare off

USAGE SUMMARY

"scare off" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to drive away or frighten away from a particular area or location. For example, "The loud noise scared off the birds from the tree."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's how you scare off people".

Independent

These signs can scare off burglars.

The Washington Post

Brancatelli was there to scare off speculators.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It didn't scare off the Pakistanis".

The New York Times

He fired another shot to scare off the press.

The New York Times

It would not take much to scare off foreign investors.

The Economist

Mr. Hands's action could scare off any potential buyers.

The New York Times

They bring in some visitors but scare off others.

The New Yorker

Mr. Sweeney believes his group helped scare off investors.

The New York Times

ReprintsHoteliers fret that the curbs will scare off tourists.

The Economist

in their kitchens to scare off rats and cockroaches.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scare off" when you want to convey the idea of preventing someone from doing something or causing them to leave by instilling fear or apprehension. Ensure the context makes it clear what is being scared away.

Common error

Avoid using "scare off" when a milder term like "deter" or "discourage" is more appropriate. "Scare off" implies a significant level of fear or aversion, which might be too strong for some situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "scare off" functions as a verb, indicating the action of causing someone or something to flee or avoid something due to fear or intimidation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "scare off" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression that signifies causing someone or something to leave or avoid a situation due to fear or apprehension. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it is appropriate across various contexts, from news reports and academic discussions to more informal settings. When using "scare off", it's important to consider the intensity of the situation and ensure it accurately reflects the level of fear or aversion being conveyed. While alternatives like "deter" or "discourage" may be suitable in milder scenarios, "scare off" implies a more significant reaction. The high frequency of its appearance in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Economist underscores its reliability and widespread acceptance in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

frighten away

Direct synonym, emphasizing the act of causing fear to make something leave.

drive away

Highlights the act of forcing something to leave.

chase away

Suggests a more active pursuit in causing something to leave.

deter

Focuses on preventing action through fear or doubt rather than direct fleeing.

repel

Implies a strong aversion or resistance, causing something to move away.

turn away

Emphasizes rejection or discouragement, leading to avoidance.

ward off

Implies protection or defense against something undesirable.

discourage

Focuses on reducing someone's enthusiasm or confidence to prevent an action.

put off

Indicates causing someone to lose interest or enthusiasm.

dissuade

Involves convincing someone not to do something, often through reasoning.

FAQs

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

You can use "scare off" to describe causing someone or something to leave or avoid a place or action due to fear. For example, "The loud noise "scared off" the birds" or "The high price "scared off" potential buyers".

What's a good alternative to "scare off"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "frighten away", "deter", or "chase away" to express a similar meaning.

When is it more appropriate to use "deter" instead of "scare off"?

"Deter" is more appropriate when you want to emphasize preventing action through doubt or apprehension, whereas "scare off" implies a stronger reaction of fear causing someone to leave or avoid something completely. For example, "The security system "deters" burglars", versus "The aggressive dog "scares off" intruders".

Is "scaring off" grammatically correct?

Yes, "scaring off" is the present participle form of the phrasal verb "scare off" and is grammatically correct. It can be used in continuous tenses, such as "The loud noise is "scaring off" the wildlife".