hobgoblin

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I’m fine with that; a foolish adherence to canon is the hobgoblin of small minds.

From The Verge • Aug. 23, 2022

Ralph Waldo Emerson is often misquoted as having said “consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.”

From Washington Post • Mar. 5, 2021

"This thing is a gigantic hobgoblin for her. She's freaked out by it and she does not want to entrust us with conducting a trial."

From Fox News • Dec. 19, 2019

The first English translation of the “Communist Manifesto” read, “A frightful hobgoblin stalks throughout Europe. We are haunted by a ghost, the ghost of Communism.”

From Salon • Aug. 2, 2018

You’d think I’d get some slack on the price since my face is on the cover of so many magazines, but that only makes the hobgoblin charge me double.

From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston