scatter the crowd

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scatter the crowd" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to describe the action of dispersing a group of people, often in a chaotic or sudden manner. Example: "The loud explosion caused the security personnel to scatter the crowd to ensure everyone's safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Police fired tear gas to scatter the crowd.

The Guardian

An American soldier leaped out and ran up to Ali, firing a shot in the air to scatter the crowd, then aiming his rifle at the boy.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Buzzing tuk-tuks and the roar of the mighty TATA lorries and buses scatter the crowds, horns blaring, then choke them with noxious clouds of black smoke.

Vice

The sleet had scattered the crowd at the lift.

The New Yorker

Scorched cars and charred clothing littered the road where the blaze had scattered the crowd.

Independent

Six Israeli security men stuck in the embassy were eventually rescued by Egyptian commandos who scattered the crowd with gunfire.

The Economist

HOUSTON — The Texans' offensive linemen roared through the locker room on Segways, scattering the crowd as they headed to their stalls.

The New York Times - Sports

Every now and then, a gun would sound and a tear-gas canister would pop down onto the dark pavement, scattering the crowd until someone threw it back.

The New York Times - Magazine

A sudden shower in the eighth inning scattered the crowd of 42,547, many of whom had left by the time the game ended.

The New York Times - Sports

Periodically boys charged up the dune and threw stones, and an armored vehicle scattered the crowd by unleashing volleys of machine gun fire into the air.

The New York Times

"America is the one that gave the security the gas!" Before I could ask his name, another canister hissed through the intersection scattering the crowd again.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "scatter the crowd" when you want to convey a sense of sudden and often chaotic dispersal, such as in response to a threat or disturbance.

Common error

Avoid using "scatter the crowd" when a more orderly or gradual dispersal is intended; consider alternatives like "disperse the crowd" or "thin out the crowd" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scatter the crowd" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "scatter" is the verb indicating the action of dispersing and "the crowd" is the noun phrase acting as the object. Ludwig confirms its validity and real-world usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "scatter the crowd" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes causing a group of people to disperse quickly. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers several real-world examples, mainly from News & Media sources, demonstrating its function. While not overly formal, it conveys a sense of sudden dispersal and is most fitting when describing events that disrupt gatherings. Alternatives like "disperse the crowd" or "break up the crowd" can offer similar meanings, but with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disperse the crowd

A more formal and direct synonym, focusing on the act of spreading out a group.

break up the crowd

Implies a more forceful or organized effort to end a gathering.

clear the area

Focuses on making a space empty of people, often for safety or security.

disband the gathering

Suggests a more structured or formal group that is being dissolved.

drive the crowd away

Emphasizes the action of forcing the crowd to leave, often with negative connotations.

force the crowd to disperse

Highlights the use of compulsion to achieve the scattering effect.

rout the crowd

Implies a more chaotic and panicked dispersal, often due to fear or violence.

push back the crowd

Suggests physically moving the crowd away from a specific point.

thin out the crowd

Describes a gradual reduction in the number of people, rather than a sudden scattering.

separate the crowd

Focuses on dividing the crowd into smaller groups, not necessarily making them leave the area.

FAQs

What does "scatter the crowd" mean?

The phrase "scatter the crowd" means to cause a group of people to disperse quickly and often in a disorganized manner. It implies a sudden disruption or instigation that leads people to move away from each other and the original location.

How can I use "scatter the crowd" in a sentence?

You can use "scatter the crowd" in sentences like: "The police used tear gas to scatter the crowd" or "The sudden downpour scattered the crowd at the outdoor concert."

What can I say instead of "scatter the crowd"?

You can use alternatives like "disperse the crowd", "break up the crowd", or "clear the area" depending on the specific context.

Is "scatter the crowd" formal or informal?

The phrase "scatter the crowd" is suitable for both neutral and informal contexts. It is commonly found in news reports, which typically use neutral language, but it can also be used in less formal settings to describe a sudden dispersal.