bugbear

An ongoing problem; a recurring obstacle or adversity.

Stone ballast is now used throughout the main line, and has the additional advantage of eliminating the previous bugbear of dust.

Level crossings are the bugbear of railway operation at Hull. There are no fewer than 16 within the city boundary.

A source of dread; resentment; or irritation.

What has this Bugbear Death to frighten Man, If Souls can die, as well as Bodies can?

But, to the world no bugbear is so great As want of figure and a small estate.

A generic creature, often described as a large goblin, meant to inspire fear in children.

Ha, ha: alas poore wretch: a poore Chipochia, haſt not ſlept to night? would he not (a naughty man) let it ſleepe: a bug-beare take him.

“How could you lie so glaringly as to affirm I hated the ‘poor child’? and invent bugbear stories to terrify her from my door-stones?[…]”

To alarm with idle phantoms.