bogeyman

bogeymannoun/ˈbəʊ.ɡɪˌmæn/

• 1

  A menacing, ghost-like monster in children's stories.

  • Near-synonyms: bogeyperson, bogeywoman
  • Lay your head down child I won't let the boogeyman come Counting bodies like sheep To the rhythm of the war drums Pay no mind to the rabble Pay no mind to the rabble Head down, go to sleep To the rhythm of the war drums
• 2

  Any make-believe threat, especially one used to intimidate or distract, or a real threat greatly exaggerated for those purposes; often taking the form of a notorious historical personage suggested to return as a revenant to punish for wrongdoing.

  • Near-synonyms: bug-a-boo, bugaboo, chimera
  • The bogeyman of a Halloween-candy poisoner behind every door has animated occasional moral panics against trick-or-treating.