hobgoblin
3
9.9
- noun
- /ˈhɑbˌɡɑblɪn/
- Literature
:
fantasma
- Her fear of public speaking turned into a hobgoblin, making her dread any presentation.
- the hobgoblin of consistency
- the hobgoblin of little minds
You know, consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds.
- You know, consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds.
Examples
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A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.
Blog text (13) -
Evidence is the hobgoblin of little minds.
Blog text (19) -
You know, consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds.
-
Consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.
Fiction book (1995) -
I must point out that foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.
-
"Constancy is the hobgoblin of little minds," says Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Blog text (21) -
The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary?
Blog text (26) -
The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by an endless series of hobgoblins, most of them imaginary.
Blog text (30) -
Some students believe that homework is just a hobgoblin that leads to unnecessary anxiety.
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Many people consider perfectionism a hobgoblin that prevents them from enjoying their lives.
Synonyms
34
8.1
An imaginary monster adults mention to scare children into behaving
25
7.4
A made-up creature adults tell children about to scare them when they misbehave
15
9.9
An imaginary creature parents mention to frighten children
6
9.6
A thing that causes fear or worry, often without real danger
1
9.1
Something that people strongly dislike or worry about
Antonyms
How Scary
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Hobgoblin also comes from hob and goblin, and a helpful way to remember its figurative use is to imagine a tiny goblin that keeps bothering you, so the word can mean a person or thing that causes fear or worry.