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

Since then, the country has clung to oil as a magic bullet for prosperity – a policy pursued by former president David Granger, who governed until 2020. —Anabella González, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2025

There is no magic bullet to stopping the drug trade. —Daniel R. Depetris, Mercury News, 30 Aug. 2025

Being Tech-Led, Not Strategy-Led The martech industry is booming, with thousands of vendors all promising that their tools are the magic bullet that will deliver growth. —Bernard Marr, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025

Remember, ginger isn't a magic bullet. —Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 18 Aug. 2025

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