Verb
cause to lose courage
Source: WordNetThe existence of such a war chest might go far to strengthen our prestige and frighten off any would be assailant. Benjamin Graham
I'm an eccentric, silly, observational guy, but I'm not gonna frighten off social conservatives. Jim Gaffigan
dashed by the refusal Source: Internet
Just as with bosses and chimeras, gargoyles are said to frighten off and protect those that it guards, such as a church, from any evil or harmful spirits. Source: Internet
Wreckers would attempt to frighten off the curious, suspicious or unwanted visitors, by spreading wild rumours concerning supernatural activity, ghosts and cannibals (as occurred in Clovelly ) near their wrecking sites. Source: Internet