English Meaning & Definitions
To frighten a person or animal so that they run away, depart, or are deterred from doing something.
- “The loud thunderclap threatened to scare off the wildlife in the reserve.”
- “High prices might scare off potential buyers and stall the housing market.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “scare off”.
The verb 'scare' comes from Old Norse 'skirra' meaning 'to shun' or 'frighten', combined with the adverb 'off' (a variant of 'of') used since Middle English to indicate separation or removal. The phrasal verb developed in the early modern period to describe causing someone or something to retreat or depart out of fear.
Imagine a ghost jumping out to SCARE a bird, causing it to fly OFF into the distance.
Frequently Asked Questions About “scare off”
1. What is the meaning of “scare off” in English?
In English, scare off (verb) is defined as: “To frighten a person or animal so that they run away, depart, or are deterred from doing something.”.
2. How do you use “scare off” in a sentence?
“The loud thunderclap threatened to scare off the wildlife in the reserve.”
3. What are English synonyms of “scare off”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “scare off”?
The verb 'scare' comes from Old Norse 'skirra' meaning 'to shun' or 'frighten', combined with the adverb 'off' (a variant of 'of') used since Middle English to indicate separation or removal. The phrasal verb developed in the early modern period to describe causing someone or something to retreat or depart out of fear.
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