What are the definitions of “frighten off”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Scare someone so much that they go away.
The dog FRIGHTENED the burglars OFF.
- 2Scare or worry someone enough to stop them doing something they had planned.
The crash in share prices FRIGHTENED investors OFF.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “frighten off”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb frighten off is to scare someone or something so much that they go away or stop doing something they had planned. It can be used to describe situations where a person or animal is scared away or when someone is discouraged from doing something due to fear or worry.
What are the different verb forms of “frighten off”?
| Root Verb | frighten off |
| Third Person Singular Present | frightens off |
| Present Participle | frightening off |
| Simple Past | frightened off |
| Past Participle | frightened off |
Example
The loud noise frightened off the birds.
Example
He frightens off the stray cats with a spray bottle.
Example
The security system is frightening off potential burglars.
Example
The sudden storm frightened off the beachgoers.
Example
The loud music frightened off the neighbors.
What kind of phrasal verb is “frighten off”?
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 off” 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 dog frightened off the burglars.
Example
The crash in share prices frightened investors off.
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 off” 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 dog frightened off the burglars.
Example
The crash in share prices frightened investors off.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “frighten off”?
Discourage competitors from entering a market or competing with a business.
Example
Their aggressive marketing strategy frightened off the competition.
Good things to know
Does “frighten off” have an informal or formal tone?
Frighten off 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, depending on the specific context.
