C2 生怕，以免
because you are worried that a particular thing might happen
They wouldn't let their cat outside for fear that it would get run over. 他们不让猫到室外去，生怕它被车撞到。
I didn't want to move for fear of waking her up. 我当时不想动，生怕把她弄醒了。
They searched his computer for fear that he had been blackmailed.
We couldn't move for fear of triggering an avalanche.
Many parents pay for tutoring they can't afford, for fear that if they don't, their children will be left behind.
See also: fear noun