things that go bump in the night

things that go bump in the night

Frightful, deadly, and usually supernatural things or events that one imagines in the dark of night. When I was a kid, I hated staying in my grandparents' spooky old house because I was always kept awake by thoughts of ghosts, axe murderers, and other things that go bump in the night.
See also: bump, go, night, that, thing
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

things that go bump in the night

ghosts; supernatural beings. informal
This expression comes from The Cornish or West Country Litany : ‘From ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggety beasties And things that go bump in the night, Good Lord deliver us!’ The phrase is used as a humorous way of referring to nocturnal disturbances of all sorts.
See also: bump, go, night, that, thing
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

ˌthings that go ˌbump in the ˈnight

(informal, humorous) strange or frightening noises, or things that cannot be explained by science: I don’t believe in ghosts or spirits, or things that go bump in the night.
See also: bump, go, night, that, thing
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • the witching hour
  • witching
  • witching hour
  • frighten the horses
  • return to haunt
  • return to haunt (one)
  • when (one) was a twinkle in (one's) daddy's eye
  • guardian angel
  • emigrate from (some place) to (some place)
  • emigrate to (some place) from (some place)
References in periodicals archive
THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT Emmalouise shows off her bump.
I went to bed with a flat tummy and woke up with a baby bump; Teen's shock birth despite not showing pregnancy symptoms
I doubt there is anyone who, under such limitations, hasn't been part of "things that go bump in the night." We also walk on things that would otherwise be successfully avoided, we misstep, we find doors or their frames where we don't think they should be and--worst case--make lots of noise while doing so.
Dark matters: learn the tricks to proper movement when the lights are out
THINGS that go bump in the night are not always the things that we want to get to know better, but this month the RSPB are inviting everyone to do just that.
Nature will be in the spotlight after dark
STURBRIDGE - Old Sturbridge Village will host one of the region's largest Halloween events with the return of its annual "Things That Go Bump in the Night" celebration set for 5-9 p.m.
Things `Go Bump' at OSV on Oct. 27
Things that go bump in the night: The Iranian freighter Danoosh collided Friday with an Indonesian container ship just off Singapore.
Things that go bump in the night
Things that go bump in the night are the primal fear of many a childhood.
Grandpa, What's That Sound in the Middle of the Night?
Many of the beguiling Bat For Lashes ballads are inhabited by mystical women, souls lost at sea and dark things that go bump in the night, combining Gothic romance with electronica.
Play: BAT FOR LASHES
COLIN SMITH of King-standing does not stare in wide-eyed horror at "things that go bump in the night" - in fact he relishes them.
Hunt for ghosts
He has been writing plays featuring gay characters since one of his earliest works, And Things That Go Bump in the Night, which suffered a quick demise on Broadway in 1965.
Catch him if you can: Terrence McNally speeds into the fifth decade of his illustrious career with new works premiering in New York, San Diego, and San Francisco
In a forthcoming ITV1 series, Things That Go Bump In The Night, the psychic sleuth will visit haunted homes or businesses and make contact with the other side.
TV Land: In the pipeline..: Dead good
The campfire collection: ghosts, beasts, and things that go bump in the night. Chronicle Books.
The campfire collection: ghosts, beasts, and things that go bump in the night. (Science, Fiction, Fantasy & Horror)
ARE you fascinated by things that go bump in the night? Or do you like to be scared by stories of the unknown?
Spinechilling walk
IF you're looking for things that go bump in the night, the Lisbon has a spooky session this Wednesday 31st October.
Monster bash; CLUBS WITH DAVY T: OUT AND ABOUT
Knotts, that when you stave off the midnight panic, armed in the darkness with only unflinching beliefs and some raw, unprotected courage that the "things that go bump in the night" continue to be your drowsy imagination, because dialing 911 will get you a chalk outline on the floor.
LETTERS to the editor
According to the company, Monsters, Inc is a comedy set in the realm of things that go bump in the night, but as yet there's no word on whether Bill Gates will be invited to lend his voice to the forthcoming flick.
Pixar's Next Feature, Monsters Inc: a Microsoft Trial Spoof?