Frighten off
verb
To make someone or something scared so that they leave or stay away.
They managed to frighten off the competition with their advanced technology.
Often appears as...
- frighten off the competition
- frighten off animals
verb
To discourage or deter someone or something by making them fearful or uneasy.
High prices can frighten off potential buyers.
Often appears as...
- frighten off potential buyers
- frighten off investors
verb
To make someone or something scared so that they leave or stay away.
They managed to frighten off the competition with their advanced technology.
Often appears as...
- frighten off the competition
- frighten off animals
verb
To discourage or deter someone or something by making them fearful or uneasy.
High prices can frighten off potential buyers.
Often appears as...
- frighten off potential buyers
- frighten off investors
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Threatening Tone
Use 'frighten off' to describe actions that are hostile or aggressive enough to repel someone.
His angry shouting managed to frighten off the curious bystanders.
Pro Tip 2/3Active Deterrence
'Frighten off' implies a deliberate action to make others avoid a person or place.
The guard dog was trained to frighten off trespassers.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal
Sometimes 'frighten off' is used figuratively, meaning to discourage without causing literal fear.
Complex regulations tend to frighten off small business owners.
Pro Tip 1/3Threatening Tone
Use 'frighten off' to describe actions that are hostile or aggressive enough to repel someone.
His angry shouting managed to frighten off the curious bystanders.
Pro Tip 2/3Active Deterrence
'Frighten off' implies a deliberate action to make others avoid a person or place.
The guard dog was trained to frighten off trespassers.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal
Sometimes 'frighten off' is used figuratively, meaning to discourage without causing literal fear.
Complex regulations tend to frighten off small business owners.
Pro Tip 1/3Threatening Tone
Use 'frighten off' to describe actions that are hostile or aggressive enough to repel someone.
His angry shouting managed to frighten off the curious bystanders.
Pro Tip 2/3Active Deterrence
'Frighten off' implies a deliberate action to make others avoid a person or place.
The guard dog was trained to frighten off trespassers.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal
Sometimes 'frighten off' is used figuratively, meaning to discourage without causing literal fear.
Complex regulations tend to frighten off small business owners.
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