Meaning trap
drive off
force away
to make someone or something leave a place, often by using threats or force.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
to make someone or something leave a place, often by using threats or force.
Another meaning of 'drive off' is 'leave by car'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- The loud noise drove off the stray dogs from the yard.daily life
- Sometimes, farmers have to drive off wild animals to protect their crops.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: drive off (someone/something)
WrongThe smoke drove off the bees away.
RightThe smoke drove the bees off. / drove off the bees.
Don't double up with 'away' — 'drive off' already means force away.
Patterndrive off (someone/something)
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Drive off' is the natural verb for chasing something away; 'repelled the intruders' is military/formal.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
drive + intruder + offthe attackerspredatorscustomersthem off
Don't confuse it
'Drive off' is stronger than 'scare away' and suggests more action to make someone leave.
Related
- drive off (leave by car) — Another meaning of 'drive off' is 'leave by car'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.