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scare away/off

phrasal verb

Definition of scare away/off

: to cause (someone or something) to go away and stay away because of fear or because of possible trouble, difficulty, etc.
  • The dog scared the prowler away.
  • The noise scared off the birds.
  • Tourists have been scared off by the recent violence in the city.

Word by Word Definitions

scare play

  1. : to frighten especially suddenly : alarm

  2. : to become scared

  1. : a sudden fright

  2. : a widespread state of alarm : panic

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away play

  1. : on the way : along

  2. : from this or that place

  3. : in a secure place or manner

  1. : absent from a place : gone

  2. : distant in space or time

  3. : played on an opponent's grounds

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off play

  1. : from a place or position

  2. : at a distance in space or time

  3. : from a course : aside

  1. used as a function word to indicate physical separation or distance from a position of rest, attachment, or union

  2. : to seaward of

  3. : from the possession or charge of

  1. : seaward

  2. : right

  3. : more removed or distant

  1. : to go away : depart

  2. : kill, murder

  1. : competition : contest

See the full definition of off

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