bugaboo

Plural: bugaboos

Noun

• An object of baseless fear or a recurring problem.
• an imaginary monster used to frighten children
• a source of concern
  • "the old bugaboo of inflation still bothers them"
• Alternative spelling of bug-a-boo.

Examples

• The unplayable ’Q’ without a ’U’ was a constant bugaboo on his rack.

Synonyms

bogeyman, booger, boogeyman, bugbear