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.
Sometimes, farmers have to drive off wild animals to protect their crops.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: The smoke drove off the bees away.
Say: The smoke drove the bees off. / drove off the bees.
Don't double up with 'away' — 'drive off' already means force away.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'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 + off
- the attackers
- predators
- customers
- them off
Don't confuse it
Related
Other meanings and phrases to compare.
- drive off (leave by car) — Another meaning of 'drive off' is 'leave by car'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.