raise the specter
Conjure ominous possibility
To raise the specter of something is to bring up the possibility of a feared or dreaded outcome, invoking it as a warning or concern.
The phrase treats the unwanted possibility as a ghost that haunts present deliberations.
The report raised the specter of widespread famine.
Critics raised the specter of government overreach.
The British spelling is raise the spectre.
- elicitDraw out by effort
- conjureSummon by supernatural means
- evokeBring forth mentally
- summonCall to appear
- harbingerOne who foreshadows
portent · shadow · dark cloud · menace · call forth · dread · omen · peril · phantasm · haunt · cast a shadow · apprehension · foreboding · repercussions · ramifications · fallout · worst case scenario · warning sign
raise the specterput to rest
Settle conclusively, end debate
lay to rest · pooh-pooh · wave away · brush aside · reassure
raise the specterexorcise
Expel spirits ritually
suppress · paper over · gloss over · ignore · turn a blind eye
raise, raised, raising, raiser, raises, specter, specters, spectral, spectre