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Phrasal verbs "scare off" vs "wear off"

Differences between scare off and wear off

Scare off means to frighten or intimidate someone so that they leave or avoid a particular place or situation, while wear off means for the effect of something to gradually diminish or disappear over time.

Meanings and Definitions: scare off vs wear off

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Scare off

  • 1Make someone so frightened that he or she away.

    The vicious Doberman guard - dog SCARED the burglars AWAY.

Wear off

  • 1Stop having an effect.

    The anaesthetic WORE OFF and my tooth started hurting.

Usage Examples: scare off, wear off in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

scare off

Example

The loud noise scared off the birds in the garden.

Example

The security guard scares off any potential intruders.

wear off

Example

The pain relief from the medicine will wear off in a few hours.

Example

The excitement of the new toy wears off quickly for children.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Scare off

drive away

To force someone or something to leave a particular place or situation.

Example

The loud music and rowdy behavior of the party guests drove away the neighbors.

put off

To discourage or dissuade someone from doing something.

Example

The high cost of the trip put him off from traveling abroad this year.

intimidate

To make someone feel afraid or nervous, often to influence their behavior or decisions.

Example

The aggressive behavior of the opposing team intimidated our players and affected their performance.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Wear off

fade away

To gradually disappear or become less noticeable over time.

Example

The color of the curtains faded away after being exposed to sunlight for a long time.

diminish

To decrease or reduce in intensity, size, or importance.

Example

The effect of the painkillers diminished after a few hours, and she needed to take another dose.

lose its edge

To become less effective or powerful over time.

Example

The humor in the movie lost its edge after the first few jokes, and the audience became bored.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “scare”

Phrasal Verbs with “wear”

Phrasal Verbs with “off”

Differences in scare off vs wear off: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: scare off or wear off?

In daily conversation, people use wear off more often than scare off. This is because wear off is used for more common situations such as the effects of medication or the fading of colors. Scare off is not used as much. It's mainly used when we're talking about scaring someone away from a particular place or situation. So, while both phrases are used, wear off is more common in everyday conversation.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of scare off and wear off

Scare off and wear off are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of scare off and wear off

The tone of scare off and wear off can differ based on context. Scare off often carries a negative or threatening tone when related to intimidating or frightening someone, while wear off typically has a neutral or descriptive tone, especially when referring to the gradual disappearance of an effect.

scare off & wear off: Synonyms and Antonyms

Scare off

Synonyms

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