boogermen
/ˈbʊɡərˌmɛn/
noun
- Imaginary scary creatures that adults use to frighten children into behaving.
- Parents sometimes tell stories about boogermen to get kids to eat their vegetables.
- My little brother thinks there are boogermen hiding under his bed at night.
- The campfire tale was full of boogermen and other spooky things.
- A person or thing that people blame for problems or feel afraid of, often unfairly.
- In the debate, the new technology was treated like a boogermen that would destroy jobs.
- Some people see the government as a boogermen that controls every part of their lives.
- Politicians often turn immigrants into boogermen to win votes.