strike fear

USAGE SUMMARY

"strike fear" is an appropriate and usable phrase in written English, generally meaning to cause someone to be filled with fear or terror.
For example, "The sight of the giant spider struck fear into the heart of the frightened child."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Public floggings and executions strike fear.

The Economist

I have to strike fear".

The Guardian

Might help strike fear into opposing defenses.

The Guardian - Sport

"Issues with parents" strike fear into my heart.

The New York Times

That will strike fear in the hearts of infidels.

The New Yorker

What in his graph should strike fear in our hearts?

The New York Times

That would be enough to strike fear into everyone.

The Economist

Their deadly venoms cause significant mortality and morbidity worldwide, and strike fear in most of us.

Toxicon

Yes, they strike fear into my heart too.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Does Deron Williams/Joe Johnson really strike fear into anyone?

The Guardian - Sport

The word “assessment” can strike fear into the hearts of teachers and students.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "strike fear", consider the target of the fear and ensure it aligns with the subject causing the fear. For instance, "The new policy struck fear into the employees" hearts" is a valid construction.

Common error

Avoid using "strike fear" with inanimate or abstract subjects that cannot logically cause fear. For example, instead of saying "The data struck fear", rephrase it to "The implications of the data struck fear".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strike fear" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the action of causing fear. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples where the phrase is used to describe something instilling fear in someone or something else.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "strike fear" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of causing a sudden feeling of fear. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, from news and media to academic writing. While semantically related phrases like "instill fear" or "cause terror" exist, "strike fear" carries a specific connotation of immediacy and impact. When using this phrase, ensure that the subject is logically capable of causing fear, and that the intended meaning is clear and impactful. Pay attention to context when using this phrase in order to maximize the power of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

instill fear

Focuses on the act of implanting fear gradually, rather than a sudden impact.

cause terror

Emphasizes a higher degree of fear, implying extreme dread.

terrify

Indicates a strong level of fear, bordering on horror.

generate panic

Highlights the creation of widespread, uncontrollable fear.

put the fear of God into

An idiom implying causing someone to behave through intense fear of consequences.

arouse apprehension

Suggests a milder form of fear or anxiety about potential events.

provoke anxiety

Implies a stimulation of worry or unease, a less intense form of fear.

intimidate

Suggests using fear to control or influence someone.

frighten

A more general term for causing fear, without specifying the intensity or method.

scare

A more casual and general way to express causing fear, often momentary.

FAQs

How can I use "strike fear" in a sentence?

You can use "strike fear" to describe something that causes a sudden feeling of fear, as in "The dictator's reputation for cruelty would "strike fear" into the hearts of his opponents".

What's a more intense way to say "strike fear"?

If you want to emphasize a higher degree of fear, you could use phrases like "cause terror" or "instill panic" instead of ""strike fear"".

Is it correct to say 'struck fear' instead of "strike fear"?

Yes, "struck fear" is the past tense form of "strike fear" and is grammatically correct when describing a past event. For example, "The sudden announcement "struck fear" into the audience".

Which is more appropriate, "strike fear into" or "strike fear in"?

"Strike fear into" is the more common and idiomatic expression. While "strike fear in" might be grammatically understandable, it's less frequently used and may sound slightly awkward to native speakers.