“使恐吓”较为贴切的英文表达可以是 intimidate into (后面通常接动作,表示“通过恐吓使某人做某事”) 或者 subject sb. to intimidation (表示“使某人遭受恐吓” ) 。
intimidate into: 强调通过恐吓手段让对方采取某种行动。例如:They tried to intimidate him into signing the contract.(他们试图恐吓他,让他签署这份合同。 )
subject sb. to intimidation:侧重于描述让某人处于被恐吓的状态。例如:The bully often subjects his classmates to intimidation.(这个恶霸经常让他的同学遭受恐吓。 )