Phrasal verb
scare off
Definition
phrasal verb. to make someone or something go away by making them feel afraid. You use this when you want to stop someone from coming near you or doing something.
phrasal verb. to cause a person or animal to flee or avoid a situation by inducing fear or apprehension. Transitive; the object may be placed between the verb and the particle.
Examples
“The loud noise will scare off the birds in the garden.”
“The high prices at the new boutique might scare off potential customers who are looking for a bargain.”
“Aggressive marketing tactics often backfire, as they tend to scare off discerning investors who value transparency over hype.”
Examples
simple
“The loud noise will scare off the birds in the garden.”
contextual
“The high prices at the new boutique might scare off potential customers who are looking for a bargain.”
complex
“Aggressive marketing tactics often backfire, as they tend to scare off discerning investors who value transparency over hype.”
Usage
This verb is transitive and can be used with people, animals, or even abstract things like investors.
Teaching tip
Contrast with 'scare away'; while often interchangeable, 'scare off' is frequently used in business contexts to mean 'deterring' someone from a deal.
Pitfall
The dog scared off of the cat.
The dog scared off the cat.
no 'of' is needed after the particle 'off' when followed by an object.
Phrasal verb
Particles
off
Separability
optional
Pattern
scare + (object) + off
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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