# scare straight

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/scare-straight
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To frighten (someone) to such a degree that a significant improvement in behavior results.

## Examples

- The judge tried to scare the teenager straight.
- After the boy was caught stealing, his parents took him to the police station hoping to scare him straight.
- The mentor hoped that showing the youth the harsh reality of prison life would finally scare him straight before he ruined his future.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.