for fear of

Idioms  

1. Also, for fear that. In order to avoid or prevent, in case of. For example, They closed all the windows for fear of rain. The variant is always used before a clause, as in She wouldn't let her children climb trees for fear that they would fall. The first term dates from the late 1400s, the second from about 1600.

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Example Sentences

The three East Africans -- who did not want to disclose their real names or nationality, for fear of repercussions -- described their cases in interviews with AFP.

From Barron's

More than 3,000 people marched in Lyon on Saturday in tribute to Deranque, with authorities deploying heavy security for fear of further clashes.

From Barron's

Witnesses inside and outside Iran told the Journal that they didn’t bring their phones to the protests, for fear of being tracked.

From The Wall Street Journal

In 1812 Luddites took hammers to knitting machines for fear of jobs.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Again and again, this routine of anxiety and worries,” said Ali, a barber in Tehran who like most of those interviewed did not give his last name for fear of harassment.

From Los Angeles Times