[Vocabulary] scare merchants

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maiabulela

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Dear all,

What is the meaning of "scare merchants"

A cop says "I don't like scare merchants"

Does that mean "I don't like cowards"?

Thanks a lot.
 
Munch

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No, it doesn't mean “cowards”.

“Scare merchants” are people who try to make other people scared. It can mean trying to make other people scared of one particular thing, or just scared in general.
 
5jj

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We can also use the word scaremonger.
 
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maiabulela

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Munch said:
No, it doesn't mean “cowards”.

“Scare merchants” are people who try to make other people scared. It can mean trying to make other people scared of one particular thing, or just scared in general.
Click to expand...

Then, it's a possibility that he is refering to himself?

Thanks.
 
5jj

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maiabulela said:
Then, it's a possibility that he is referring to himself?
Click to expand...
Highly unlikely.

Can you post the sentences/lines that preceded your line?
 
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maiabulela

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he is a cop guarding a lady. The lady wants him to do anything to rid her of the one chasing her.
 
5jj

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maiabulela said:
he is a cop guarding a lady. The lady wants him to do anything to rid her of the one chasing her.
Click to expand...
The he thinks that the lady is a scare merchant. He believes that the person chasing her is either not really chasing her, or is a figment of her imagination.
 
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fivejedjon said:
The he thinks that the lady is a scare merchant. He believes that the person chasing her is either not really chasing her, or is a figment of her imagination.
Click to expand...

Then it means "scared people"! right?
 
5jj

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maiabulela said:
Then it means "scared people"! right?
Click to expand...
Not necessarily. Munch explained in post #2 what it means. Scaremongers/Scare merchants may or may not themselves be scared.
 
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