bogeyman

plural bogeymen · alternative bogieman · alternative bogyman · alternative boogieman · alternative boogeyman · alternative boogyman · alternative buggerman

1. A menacing, ghost-like monster in children's stories.

   Near-synonyms: bogeyperson, bogeywoman

   1 more example

   Lay your head down child I won't let the boogeyman come Counting bodies like sheep To the rhythm of the war drums Pay no mind to the rabble Pay no mind to the rabble Head down, go to sleep To the rhythm of the war drums

   2003, “Pet”, performed by A Perfect Circle

   Synonyms: bogey, bug-a-boo, bugaboo, bugbear, bogeyperson, bogeywoman

2. broadlyfigurativelyAny make-believe threat, especially one used to intimidate or distract, or a real threat greatly exaggerated for those purposes; often taking the form of a notorious historical personage suggested to return as a revenant to punish for wrongdoing.

   Near-synonyms: bug-a-boo, bugaboo, chimera

   5 more examples

   The bogeyman of a Halloween-candy poisoner behind every door has animated occasional moral panics against trick-or-treating.

   The specter of an election-vote recount is this year's political bogeyman.

   "They wanted liberty. Freedom from England, perhaps from us as well. But they could not raise the country with such airy aspirations. In Kilpeder they managed to scrape together some fifty men, and this was one of the more impressive hostings. The fellow in command was a fire-eater. There is a ballad about him." "'Clonbrony Wood'," Tom said. "Ned Nolan. He has become the local bogey man."

   1987, Thomas Flanagan, novel: The Tenants of Time chapter 12

   With no original ideas or solutions, they've now resorted to bringing out a tried-and-tested bogeymen in a last-ditch attempt to derail much-needed legislation.

   2009 November 11, Anthony Tarricone, “Blaming lawyers a bogeyman to stop health reform”, in CNN, archived from the original on 10 May 2013

   Before the Internet it was television. And, if not that, it was radio, films, or games. All have taken their turn as the popular bogeyman, blighting the minds of the young.

   2013, Frances Booth, The Distraction Trap

   Synonyms: bug-a-boo, bugaboo, chimera