vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Drive off" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "ahuyentar", and "drive up" is a transitive verb phrase which is often translated as "hacer subir". Learn more about the difference between "drive off" and "drive up" below.
drive off(
drayv
af
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
a. ahuyentar
Umberto drove off the punks with a shotgun.Umberto ahuyentó a los vándalos con una escopeta.
An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
drive up(
drayv
uhp
)A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
a. hacer subir
The scarcity of oranges drove up the price.La escasez de las naranjas hizo subir el precio.
An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
2. (to arrive)
a. llegar
Juliana looked out the window and saw that the taxi was just driving up.Juliana miró hacia fuera por la ventana y vio que el taxi llegaba en ese momento.
b. detenerse
We drove up in front of the Perkins's house, but it looked like no one was home.Nos detuvimos delante la casa de los Perkins, pero parecía que no había nadie en casa.
a. acercarse
Yolanda drove up to the car wash, and the automatic gate opened.Yolanda se acercó al lavacarros, y se abrió la puerta automática.