scare off
verb1
To cause (something) to flee by frightening it.
- A quick growl scared off the mouse.
- His chief trouble was stray sheep, and he scared most of them off with the draincocks and whistle.1949 November and December, K. Longbottom, “By Goods Train to Gweedore”, in Railway Magazine, page 356:
1 more example
- An unusual custom is followed at Llangennith, when shotguns are fired at a wedding - to scare off evil spirits from the newlyweds.1980, AA Book of British Villages, Drive Publications Ltd, page 258:
2
To deter.
- The hefty price tag scared off any potential buyers.