chase off
Scare something off
Chase off means to drive away by pursuing or threatening.
You chase off an intruder, a stray dog, or unwanted visitors.
The action implies enough aggression or persistence that the target leaves: He chased off the raccoons raiding the garbage cans.
Figuratively, you might chase off doubts or bad thoughts.
- drive awayCause to retreat
- drive outForce to depart
- repelDrive off or disgust
- dispelCause to vanish
- shooCommand to leave
scare away · shoo away · send packing · beat it · get lost · banish · scatter · deter · oust · frighten · turn tail · evict · rout · discourage · intimidate · dissuade · unsettle · alarm