bogeyman

South Midland and Southern U.S., boog·ey·man
Or bo·gy·man

[boog-ee-man, boh-gee-, boo-]

noun

plural

bogeymen 

1. an imaginary evil character of supernatural powers, especially a mythical hobgoblin supposed to carry off naughty children.

bogeyman

/ ˈbəʊɡɪˌmæn /

noun

1. a person, real or imaginary, used as a threat, esp to children

Word History and Origins

Origin of bogeyman¹

First recorded in 1885–90; bogey ¹ (variant of bogy ¹, in the sense “a hobgoblin, evil spirit”) + man

Example Sentences

Without them, he wouldn’t have the bogeyman he requires to push forward the most authoritarian aspects of his agenda: mass surveillance, squads of secret police and wars of imperialism.

Read more on Salon

Opponents of Proposition 50 have their own bogeyman.

Read more on Barron's

Although Vought isn't one to shy away from controversial statements – he once said that he aspired to be "the person who crushes the deep state" – he doesn't exactly look the part of a Republican bogeyman.

Read more on BBC

Keith Anderson, chief executive of Scottish Power, says: "The government has taken on the planning bogeyman to unlock growth and get us building. That's why the UK is now Iberdrola's biggest investment destination globally."

Read more on BBC

The Dodgers served as a convenient bogeyman for owners of many other major league teams last winter.

Read more on Los Angeles Times