intimidate

intimidate (one) into (something)

1. To intentionally frighten one with threatening behavior for the purpose of forcing them to take some action. I really don't want to fire Marcia, so I'm going to see if I can intimidate Doug into doing it! His opponent's smear campaign intimidated him into dropping out of the race.
2. To cause one to feel frightened, resulting in them taking, or not taking, a particular action. I knew I was free to speak in that meeting, but the prestige of all the board members intimidated me into silence.
See also: intimidate

intimidate (one) with (something)

To intentionally frighten or threaten one with a particular action or method. He's trying to intimidate me with threats of taking that scandalous information to the press, but I refuse to drop out of the election.
See also: intimidate
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

intimidate someone into something

to threaten or frighten someone into doing something. Do you think you can intimidate me into working for you? We weren't intimidated into doing it.
See also: intimidate

intimidate someone with something

to threaten or frighten someone with something. Please don't try to intimidate me with your silly threats! We hadn't been intimidated with their threats.
See also: intimidate
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • intimidate (one) into (something)
  • intimidate into
  • intimidate with
  • intimidate (one) with (something)
  • frighten the horses
  • be shaking in (one's) shoes
  • be shaking in (one's) boots
  • be quaking in (one's) boots
  • be quaking in your boots
  • quake
References in periodicals archive
'The media should point out that Agriculture Secretary Pinol was sent not only to intimidate the fishermen into changing their narrative about the sinking of the F/B Gem-Vir fishing boat; he was also practically putting words into their mouths,' veteran journalist and media critic Luis Teodoro said on Twitter.
No intimidation in meeting with Recto Bank fishermen - Pinol
He urged the people to go out and perform their civic duties as nobody will intimidate or harass them,'
INEC Did A Good Job In My Unit, People Should Come Out To Vote a Alao-Akala
This week, the High Court ruled that the board has been violating the law by continuously fighting the Africa Centre for Open Governance (Africog), among other groups, and attempting to use other state agencies such as the Central Bank and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to intimidate and torment the lobbies.
Court ruling boost for civil society
Shots fired to intimidate a burglar outside a residence in the village of Psevdas landed the owner's son in trouble with the law, it emerged on Wednesday.
Shots fired to intimidate burglar lands teen in trouble with the law
ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Spokesperson Naeem-ul-Haq on Friday said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has deputized the whole government to threat and intimidate state organs.
PM deputized whole govt to threat, intimidate state organs: PTI leader
And with Goodison another sell-out - and on course for a full season of packed home crowds - Koeman is confident the Old Lady can intimidate Antonio Conte's side.
'Chelsea will have Goodison doubts'
"I urge all political parties and their supporters not to intimidate anyone or engage in any untoward activity.
Fiji president urges violence-free election
I think not being able to intimidate referees any longer has made a major contribution to their demise.
Fergie factor is why Moyes failed
Burning tyres and oil on the roads: failed to intimidate people.
Wefaq's failures..
Summary: The Special Tribunal for Lebanon described Tuesday the recent hacking of a local newspaper's website as an attempt to undermine the work of the U.N.-backed court and "intimidate" alleged witnesses.
STL: Hacking of news site aims to undermine our work
The IS stigmatized also in a statement today , Maliki's remark made to the same source in which he said : " Parliament is not entitled to enact legislations describing such a statement as a blatant interference in the work and powers of the judiciary and the legislative authority as well as an intentioned attempt to intimidate people.
IS / condemns Maliki's apocalyptic remarks regarding voting on favor of limitation of the three presidencies mandate in two terms
Either drug lords or the militias that oppose them run the slums of Rio de Janeiro, and when the municipal elections arrive they intimidate local residents into voting for their candidate of choice, often demanding that they take pictures of their ballots as proof.
Brazil Vows Drug Lords And Militias Won't Dictate Local Elections
Asked for his reaction, current number one McIlroy, winner of three of his last four events, said: "No, how can I intimidate Tiger Woods?
McIlroy laughs off new nickname; RYDER CUP HAS RORY BUZZING
Current number one McIlroy, the winner of three of his last four events, said: "No, how can I intimidate Tiger?
McIlroy: Woods does not fear me
GARRY OWEN NEWSBOY 6.20 - ALPINE MYSTERIES 6.50 - ARCHINA 7.20 - INTIMIDATE 7.50 - TIGER CLIFF 8.20 - SPIN CAST 8.50 - DISCOVERER 9.20 - CHORAL 6.20 - STUPENDA 6.50 - DANA'S PRESENT 7.20 - INTIMIDATE 7.50 - TIGER CLIFF 8.20 - KAMES PARK 8.50 - ROYAL EMPIRE 9.20 - BINT ALZAIN NEWSBOY 6.20 - STUPENDA 6.50 - DANA'S PRESENT 7.20 - INTIMIDATE 7.50 - TIGER CLIFF 8.20 - KAMES PARK 8.50 - ROYAL EMPIRE 9.20 - BINT ALZAIN GARRY OWEN 6.20 - ALPINE MYSTERIES 6.50 - ARCHINA 7.20 - INTIMIDATE 7.50 - TIGER CLIFF 8.20 - SPIN CAST 8.50 - DISCOVERER 9.20 - CHORAL
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