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to scare sb straight
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What is the origin of the idiom "scare someone straight" and when to use it?
The origin of the idiom "scare someone straight" can be traced back to the concept of using fear as a motivating factor for behavioral change. This expression is frequently used in conversations about parenting, education, correctional systems, or intervention programs, where the goal is to inspire a significant scare or shock in order to prompt a person to change their ways and adopt a more responsible or law-abiding path
Example
The documentary about prison life scares me straight, making me reconsider my choices.
The tough love approach they use in the rehabilitation program scares him straight, motivating him to turn his life around.
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