Schreckgespenst — meaning in English

English meaning

• bogeyman noun An imaginary monster used to frighten children into good behavior.
• specter noun A ghostly figure or apparition; a phantom.

Senses

Schreckgespenst is used for these senses in English:

• bogeyman (by extension) Any make-believe threat, especially one used to intimidate or distract; a real threat greatly exaggerated for those purposes.
• specter (figuratively) A threatening mental image; an unpleasant prospect [from Template:SAFESUBST: c.]

bogeyman — full definition

1. noun An imaginary monster used to frighten children into good behavior.
2. noun Any exaggerated threat used to frighten or manipulate people.

specter — full definition

1. noun A ghostly figure or apparition; a phantom.
2. noun A frightening possibility or threat that looms over a situation.

Related German words