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for fear of

idiom

Definition of for fear of

: due to being afraid of
  • He won't say anything for fear of losing his job.

Word by Word Definitions

fear play

  1. : an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger

  2. : an instance of this emotion

  3. : a state marked by this emotion

  1. : to be afraid of : expect with alarm

  2. : to have a reverential awe of

  3. : frighten

See the full definition of fear

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