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Scare Straight

What Does "Scare Straight" Mean?

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"Scare straight" is an English idiom. It means "a program or approach intended to deter or reform young people by exposing them to the harsh realities of a criminal lifestyle."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "scare straight" used in a sentence:
  • After being involved in petty crimes, he was sent to a scare straight program to discourage further criminal behavior.
  • The documentary aimed to scare straight young viewers by showing the consequences of illegal activities.
  • The local police department organized a scare straight event to educate at-risk youth about the dangers of gangs.
meaning for scare straight

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Scare Straight" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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