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specter

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raise the specter of (something)

To make people aware of or worry about something unpleasant, dreadful, or terrifying. Primarily heard in US. The sudden dip in stock prices has raised the specter of another global recession with some investors. Throughout the Cold War, politicians raised the specter of Communism and the Iron Curtain over anything they thought to be "un-American."

See also: of, raise, specter

raise the spectre of something

  (British, American & Australian) also raise the specter of something (American)

to make people worry that something unpleasant will happen Drought and war have raised the spectre of food shortages for millions of people. Napoli's 1-0 defeat at Bologna raised the spectre of relegation for the Italian champions.

See the ghost at the feast

See also: of, raise, spectre