bogyman
/ˈboʊɡiˌmæn/
noun
- An imaginary monster or evil figure used to frighten children.
- My grandmother used to say the bogyman would come if I didn't eat my vegetables.
- In many stories, the bogyman is a shadowy figure that hides in dark places.
- The children whispered about the bogyman who lived under the bridge.
- A person or thing that is blamed for problems or feared without good reason.
- For the small town, the new factory became a bogyman blamed for all the pollution.
- He saw the rival company as a bogyman that would steal all his customers.
- Politicians often create a bogyman to distract voters from real issues.
Synonyms