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

"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

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, wrote Ralph Waldo Emerson.

From Washington Post • Jul. 21, 2017

Except it’s not the Goldengrove anymore, because the hobgoblin king and queen have captured the fairy princess whose laughter makes the sun rise.

From "How to Disappear Completely" by Ali Standish