What does the phrasal verb “frighten away” mean?

What are the definitions of “frighten away”?

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

• 1. Scare someone so much that they go away.

  The noise FRIGHTENED the birds AWAY.

• 2. Scare or worry someone enough to stop them doing something they had planned.

  The strikes FRIGHTENED many visitors AWAY.

What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “frighten away”?

The most common meaning of the phrasal verb frighten away is to scare someone or something so much that they leave or go away. This can be used to describe situations where a loud noise, a sudden movement, or an intimidating presence causes someone or something to leave out of fear.

What are the different verb forms of “frighten away”?

Root Verb	frighten away
Third Person Singular Present	frightens away
Present Participle	frightening away
Simple Past	frightened away
Past Participle	frightened away

Example

The dog's barking frightened away the intruder.

Example

The sudden thunderstorm frightens away the tourists.

Example

The loud music is frightening away the customers.

Example

The scary movie frightened away the children.

Example

The loud noise frightened away the birds.

What kind of phrasal verb is “frighten away”?

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

What is a transitive and intransitive verb?
- A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.)
- An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)

Transitive verb

“frighten away” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.

Example

The noise frightened the birds away.

Example

The strikes frightened many visitors away.

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb?
- A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle.
- An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.

Inseparable

“frighten away” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.

Example

The noise frightened the birds away.

Example

The strikes frightened many visitors away.

What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “frighten away”?

Frighten away potential customers

Scare or worry potential customers enough to stop them from buying a product or service.

Example

The high prices frightened away potential customers.

Frighten away investors

Scare or worry investors enough to stop them from investing in a business or project.

Example

The unstable political situation frightened away investors.

Frighten away wildlife

Scare animals so much that they leave their natural habitat.

Example

The construction noise frightened away the wildlife in the area.

Good things to know

Does “frighten away” have an informal or formal tone?

Frighten away is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is appropriate for everyday conversations, as well as more formal settings, such as business meetings or academic discussions, depending on the specific context.

What are synonyms of antonyms to the phrasal verb “frighten away”?

Synonyms

• deter
• discourage
• intimidate
• scare off
• scare away
• drive away
• chase away

Antonyms

• attract
• invite
• encourage
• entice
• lure
• welcome