put the frighteners on (someone)

put the frighteners on (someone)

To frighten, threaten, or intimidate someone. Primarily heard in UK. Chelsea put the frighteners on Manchester United early on the in match, scoring a goal in the first five minutes and keeping constant pressure on their defence. The situation is so dire that banks have reportedly been sending round warning letters to try and put the frighteners on those whose mortgages are in arrears.
See also: frighteners, on, put
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

put the frighteners on someone

BRITISH, INFORMAL
If someone puts the frighteners on you, they threaten you or scare you. He and his chums tried to put the frighteners on Kelley before she had written a single word. Glenn Close put the frighteners on Michael Douglas and his family in `Fatal Attraction'. Note: `Frighteners' used to be a name for members of criminal gangs who were sent to frighten people into doing something.
See also: frighteners, on, put, someone
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

put the frighteners on

threaten or intimidate. British informal
Literally, a frightener is a thug who intimidates victims on behalf of a gang.
1998 John Milne Alive & Kicking She decides to put the frighteners on him by hiring me as a private detective.
See also: frighteners, on, put
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

put the ˈfrighteners on (somebody)

(British English, slang) threaten somebody so that they will do what you want: They started putting the frighteners on the witness, sending him threatening letters.
See also: frighteners, on, put
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • frighteners
  • put the frighteners on
  • put the frighteners on someone
  • intimidate (one) with (something)
  • intimidate with
  • scare the bejabers out of (one)
  • frighten (one) in
  • scare the bejabbers out of (one)
  • frighten the horses
  • scare the hell out of someone