Things that go bump in the night
phrase
Imaginary or unseen fearful objects or creatures, typically associated with the dark or nighttime.
After watching a scary movie, she was afraid of things that go bump in the night.

Often appears as...
- afraid of things that go bump in the night
- hear things that go bump in the night
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
Unexplained sounds heard at night, potentially frightening.
Living in an old house, you become accustomed to things that go bump in the night.

Often appears as...
- hearing things that go bump in the night
- noises are just things that go bump in the night
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
Imaginary or unseen fearful objects or creatures, typically associated with the dark or nighttime.
After watching a scary movie, she was afraid of things that go bump in the night.

Often appears as...
- afraid of things that go bump in the night
- hear things that go bump in the night
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
Unexplained sounds heard at night, potentially frightening.
Living in an old house, you become accustomed to things that go bump in the night.

Often appears as...
- hearing things that go bump in the night
- noises are just things that go bump in the night
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2

Fear Inducer
This phrase is often used to describe the cause of irrational fear, especially at night.

He refused to sleep alone, citing things that go bump in the night as his main fear.
Child's Imagination
Children's stories or experiences may refer to this phrase to describe monsters under the bed.

The child's story was full of things that go bump in the night that only he could see.
Not Real
Emphasize that the phrase refers to imaginary fears, not actual dangers.

She realized that her fears were just things that go bump in the night, entirely made up.
Fear Inducer
This phrase is often used to describe the cause of irrational fear, especially at night.

He refused to sleep alone, citing things that go bump in the night as his main fear.
Child's Imagination
Children's stories or experiences may refer to this phrase to describe monsters under the bed.

The child's story was full of things that go bump in the night that only he could see.
Not Real
Emphasize that the phrase refers to imaginary fears, not actual dangers.

She realized that her fears were just things that go bump in the night, entirely made up.
Fear Inducer
This phrase is often used to describe the cause of irrational fear, especially at night.

He refused to sleep alone, citing things that go bump in the night as his main fear.
Child's Imagination
Children's stories or experiences may refer to this phrase to describe monsters under the bed.

The child's story was full of things that go bump in the night that only he could see.
Not Real
Emphasize that the phrase refers to imaginary fears, not actual dangers.

She realized that her fears were just things that go bump in the night, entirely made up.
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