bugbear

[buhg-bair]

noun

1. any source, real or imaginary, of needless fright or fear.

2. a persistent problem or source of annoyance.

3. Folklore.,  a goblin that eats up naughty children.

bugbear

/ ˈbʌɡˌbɛə /

noun

1. a thing that causes obsessive fear or anxiety

2. (in English folklore) a goblin said to eat naughty children and thought to be in the form of a bear

Word History and Origins

Origin of bugbear¹

First recorded in 1570–80; bug ² + bear ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of bugbear¹

C16: from _bug ² + _bear ²; compare _bugaboo

Example Sentences

The push factors, meanwhile, are long-standing bugbears - such as a poor regulatory environment, tiresome bureaucracy and a poor ease-of-business climate that has led to an exodus of wealthy, high-earning Indians over the years.

From BBC

One bugbear for her is when parents bring a phone or other device for their children "and they have it on full whack", she says.

From BBC

Kennedy stepped around the question to talk specifically about antidepressants: a longtime bugbear for the current head of the Department of Health and Human Services.

From Salon

One of the biggest bugbears for most golfers - whether you're a club player or one of the world's best - is a slow round.

From BBC

A prime bugbear for those unhappy with micro-managed football is the changing role of the goalkeeper, with many teams now preferring to build slowly from the back rather than launching quick attacks.

From BBC