scare off

Variant of scare

scare definition

scare (sker)

transitive verb scared, scaring scar′·ing

to fill with fear or terror; esp., to frighten suddenly or startle; terrify

Etymology: ME skerren < ON skirra, to scare, make timid < skjarr, timid, prob. < IE base *(s)ker-, to jump > L scurra, buffoon

intransitive verb

to become frightened, esp. suddenly a person who scares easily

noun

  1. a sudden fear or panic; attack of fright, often unreasonable
  2. a state of widespread fear or panic a war scare

Etymology: ME skerre < the v.

scare Idioms

scare away

or scare off
to drive away or off by frightening

scare up

☆
Informal to produce or gather quickly

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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