beating the grass to frighten the snake
打草惊蛇
scare sb. out of his wits
把某人吓得魂不附体
beat the grass and frighten away the snake
打草惊蛇
To beat the duck and frighten the drake
打鸭惊鸳
scare children off
把孩子们吓跑
scare off passengers
(加价)令乘客却步
frighten out of
使...吓得不敢做