Bugbear

A bugbear is a source of persistent annoyance, anxiety, or fear. It can refer to a specific object, idea, or situation that causes disproportionate worry or irritation. Often, a bugbear is something perceived as a threat or obstacle, even if the danger is not necessarily significant. It can be a personal quirk or a widespread social issue. The term implies a degree of irrationality or exaggerated concern, highlighting the psychological impact of the thing that is seen as the 'bugbear'. It can be used in a variety of contexts from the personal to the political.

Bugbear meaning with examples

• Sarah's bugbear was public speaking. The thought of it sent her into a state of panic. Despite years of practice, she never completely overcame her anxiety. Even presenting to a small group was difficult. She’d often avoid it, which then caused her stress.
• The company's bugbear was the outdated software system. It frequently crashed, caused data loss, and hampered productivity. The IT department was constantly troubleshooting, which caused many other issues. Updating the software seemed to become an impossible task.
• One of the biggest bugbears for the environmental activist was plastic waste. He dedicated his life to reducing it through education and protest. He believed that unless they solved this problem, their planet would eventually collapse.
• For the seasoned chef, a bugbear was undercooked food. It represented a failure of technique and a disrespect for the ingredients. He'd never let this happen in his kitchen. He’d often check the food twice to make sure it was cooked properly.