The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word BOGEYMAN
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
B
O
G
E
Y
M
A
N
More clues leading to the result BOGEYMAN
- Threatening apparition swinging moneybag
- Crew led by colonel into something scary
- Creature scaring children, one not coming up to par?
- Someone scary ravaged money bag
- Monster picker?
- Source of fear in game boy played on rear of train
- Montego Bay is played, but not to this devil
- Rubbish golfer? A danger to kids
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "something scary" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case something scary = bogeyman.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does BOGEYMAN mean?
BOGEYMAN noun- A menacing, ghost-like monster in children's stories.
- (by extension) Any make-believe threat, especially one used to intimidate or distract.