scare off
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To cause (something) to flee by frightening it.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
A quick growl scared off the mouse.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
To deter.
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “scare off” mean?
To cause (something) to flee by frightening it.
Is “scare off” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.