Word: Scare Away
Definition:
"Scare away" is a verb phrase that means to cause someone or something to leave or avoid a place because they feel frightened or afraid.
Usage Instructions:
You can use "scare away" when talking about things or actions that make people or animals feel scared, leading them to go away or stay away from a certain area.
Example:
- "The loud noise from the fireworks scared away the birds from the park."
Advanced Usage:
In a more complex sense, you might use "scare away" in discussions about behavior or emotions. For instance: - "His harsh criticism might scare away potential employees."
Word Variants:
- Scared (adjective): Feeling frightened.
- "She was scared of the dark." - Scaring (gerund): The act of causing fear.
- "Scaring away the competition is a common strategy in business."
Different Meaning:
While "scare away" primarily means to drive away through fear, it can also imply discouraging someone from doing something due to fear of failure or criticism.
Synonyms:
- Frighten away - Drive away - Deter - Disconcert
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
- Scare off: This is similar to "scare away" and means to make someone leave by frightening them.
- Example: "The dog scared off the intruders."
Summary:
"Scare away" is about making someone or something feel afraid, causing them to leave or avoid a place. You can use it in various contexts, from talking about animals being frightened to discussing feelings in social situations.