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.

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

for fear of

Nor do you want to alienate anyone for fear of it somehow affecting your child.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 6, 2026

US software companies working with the refinery, such as Microsoft and Honeywell, had already announced their withdrawal for fear of sanctions, Ruthenberg said.

From Barron's ● Sep. 4, 2026

When it comes to your actual budget, that figure is probably a lot lower, because people tend to be conservative with their spending for fear of running out of money.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026

County prosecutors who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026

She wouldn’t have put this book under her pillow for fear of what it might whisper to her.

From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke