for fear of

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

Air Force veteran Robert Canas said he is unable to access his vocational benefits for fear of losing his housing.

From Los Angeles Times

Then the gate to the ranch broke, said co-plaintiff Veronica P., who asked that her last name not be made public for fear of retaliation.

From Los Angeles Times

In most districts, leaders “are hesitant to address this publicly for fear of attracting more scrutiny and making the issue even more difficult to manage,” Flint said.

From Los Angeles Times

“She wants to go to Chelsea and made it very clear she wants to leave,” said a person close to Thompson, who would speak only on condition of anonymity for fear of disrupting the delicate negotiations.

From Los Angeles Times

Boniface Mwabukusi, the president of the Tanganyika Law Society, says many people are afraid to come out and share their stories for fear of victimisation.

From BBC