boogymen
/ˈbʊɡiˌmɛn/
noun
- Imaginary scary creatures used to frighten children, especially at night or in the dark.
- My little brother thinks boogymen live under his bed.
- The campfire tale was full of boogymen and other monsters.
- Parents sometimes tell stories about boogymen to get kids to stay in bed.
- A person or thing that is widely feared or blamed, often unfairly, for causing problems.
- In the debate, the new technology was treated like a boogymen that would destroy jobs.
- Some people see hackers as modern boogymen who can ruin anyone's life.
- Politicians often use foreign countries as boogymen to distract voters.