terrify
terrify (one) into (something)
1. To cause, compel, or force one to do something through the use of fear or intimidation. The salesperson at the shop terrified me into buying gadget insurance for my new phone. The news report terrified me into changing the passwords for all my online accounts.
2. To cause one to enter into some state because of extreme fear. My husband's horrible outburst terrified me into a stunned silence. The horrible image onscreen terrified the children in the audience into hysteric tears.
See also: terrify
terrify (one) out of (something or some place)
1. To cause, compel, or force one to leave something or some place through the use of fear or intimidation. Marauders have been terrifying local residents out of their homes. The fear of infection from the deadly disease has terrified thousands of people out of the region.
2. To cause, compel, or force one not to do something because of extreme fear. The thought of what would happen if the parachute failed to open has terrified me out of ever wanting to go skydiving. The news report terrified me out of traveling anywhere on an airplane.
See also: of, out, terrify
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
terrify someone into something
and terrorize someone into somethingto threaten or frighten someone into doing something. The salesman is just trying to terrify you into buying a new car by saying the one you have is dangerous. They tried to terrorize people into staying off the streets.
See also: terrify
terrify someone or an animal out of something
1. to terrify someone or an animal to leave something or some place. The attackers terrified the farmers out of their homes. The snake terrified the gophers out of their burrow.
2. to cause someone or an animal to lose something through fear. They tried to terrify the old lady out of her money, but she refused to tell where it was. The eagle terrified the hawk out of the food it was holding.
See also: animal, of, out, terrify
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
- terrify (one) into (something)
- terrify into
- lead (one) to (do something)
- lead one to
- lead to
- lead to do
- compel
- compel (someone) to (do something)
- compel to do
- force out