bogeyman

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

Any make-believe threat, especially one used to intimidate or distract; a real threat greatly exaggerated for those purposes.

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.