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scare off

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˌskɛr ˈɔf/ · UK /ˌskeər ˈɒf/

scare off means: To make someone decide against doing something because it seems difficult, expensive, or worrying.

verb

DISCOURAGEB2

To make someone decide against doing something because it seems difficult, expensive, or worrying.

  • High prices scare off customers.
  • The long form scared some applicants off.
  • Did the warning scare you off buying the house?

How to use it: scare someone off doing something (The cost scared him off applying for the course.)

Similar words: put off, deter, discourage

Opposites: encourage, attract

Common phrases: scare off potential buyers, scare off new customers, scare someone off

FRIGHTEN AWAYB1

To make a person or animal leave because they are afraid.

  • Our cat scared off the birds.
  • A loud shout scared the intruder off.
  • Will that noise scare off the deer?

How to use it: scare someone/something off (The barking dog scared the fox off.)

Similar words: frighten away, scare away

Common phrases: scare off the birds, scare off an intruder, scare someone off

Questions about scare off

What does scare off mean?

To make someone decide against doing something because it seems difficult, expensive, or worrying.

What is scare off in other languages?

Türkçe: caydırmak · Español: disuadir · Français: décourager · Deutsch: abschrecken · Italiano: scoraggiare · 日本語: 尻込みさせる

How do you pronounce scare off?

In American English /ˌskɛr ˈɔf/; in British English /ˌskeər ˈɒf/.

How do you use scare off in a sentence?

High prices scare off customers. The long form scared some applicants off.

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scare off in other languages

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