magic bullet

noun

1

: a substance or therapy capable of destroying pathogens (such as bacteria or cancer cells) or providing an effective remedy for a disease or condition without deleterious side effects

2

: something providing an effective solution to a difficult or previously unsolvable problem

a magic bullet to stem voter apathy

Examples of magic bullet in a Sentence

There is no magic bullet to fix our educational system.

Recent Examples on the Web

That said, this doesn’t mean brain training is a magic bullet. —Julia Ries Wexler, Health, 19 Feb. 2026

Of course, no single food is a magic bullet. —Lauren Manaker, SELF, 17 Feb. 2026

Economic growth is no magic bullet. —Olivier De Schutter, Time, 27 Jan. 2026

Higher taxes on the wealthy do not constitute a magic bullet to resolve all the development challenges our communities face. —Gregory D. Squires, Baltimore Sun, 25 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for magic bullet

• pullet

Medical Definition

magic bullet

noun

mag·​ic bul·​let ˈmaj-ik-ˈbu̇l-ət 

: a substance or therapy capable of destroying pathogenic agents (as bacteria or cancer cells) or providing a remedy for a disease or condition without deleterious side effects