intimidate into

intimidate (one) into (something)

1. To intentionally frighten one with threatening behavior for the purpose of forcing them to take some action. I really don't want to fire Marcia, so I'm going to see if I can intimidate Doug into doing it! His opponent's smear campaign intimidated him into dropping out of the race.2. To cause one to feel frightened, resulting in them taking, or not taking, a particular action. I knew I was free to speak in that meeting, but the prestige of all the board members intimidated me into silence.See also: intimidate

intimidate someone into something

to threaten or frighten someone into doing something. Do you think you can intimidate me into working for you? We weren't intimidated into doing it.See also: intimidate