chased away
Sent them fleeing
To chase away is to drive off by pursuit or intimidation.
You chase away stray dogs, unwanted visitors, or pests.
The phrase extends to abstract things: A good night's sleep chased away my worries.
Music chases away silence; laughter chases away gloom.
The emphasis falls on successful removal—what's chased away is gone, at least for now.
- deterredPrevented through intimidation
- droveOperated a vehicle
- drove offCaused to flee
- exiledForced from one's country
- ran offDeparted hastily, often fleeing
banished · given the boot · shown the door · ousted · evicted · expelled · alienated · estranged · dispersed · driven off · warded off · beat back · dissuaded · scared off · flushed out · intimidated · scattered · fought off