scare off
Drive off fearfully
To scare off is to frighten someone or something away, causing them to flee or withdraw.
You might scare off a stray cat from your garden or scare off potential investors with risky proposals.
The phrase works for both literal threats The dog scared off the intruder and figurative deterrence High prices scared off most buyers.
It suggests that fear, rather than force, causes the departure.
Diminish someone's confidence
- dissuadeConvince not to
- intimidateInstill fear to control
- warnGive notice of peril
- dauntDiscourage through fear
dishearten · disincentivize · prevent · inhibit · caution · forewarn · demoralizer · turn away
discourage
Diminish someone's confidence
- dissuadeConvince not to
- intimidateInstill fear to control
- warnGive notice of peril
daunt · dishearten · disincentivize · prevent · inhibit · caution · forewarn · demoralizer · turn away · keep at bay
startle
Frighten suddenly
terrify · panic · jolt · shock · disturb · rattle · petrify · intimidate · menace · threaten