magic bullet en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
Calque of German Zauberkugel. Coined by physician Paul Ehrlich as an allusion to the opera Der Freischütz. Compare silver bullet, from werewolf lore.
Meanings
-
(idiomatic) A simple remedy for a difficult or complex problem, especially a cure for a disease.
History shows that there's no magic bullet for a global financial crisis.
In recent years, penicillin-based drugs have lost some of their magic bullet status due to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| magic bullets | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Synonyms
miracle (simple remedy for complex problem or disease) · panacea (simple remedy for complex problem or disease) · silver bullet (simple remedy for complex problem or disease) · wonder drug (simple remedy for complex problem or disease)
Translations (12)
ka პანაცეა (a remedy) · pt santo remédio (a remedy) · pt fórmula mágica (a remedy) · fi ihmelääke (a remedy) · pt panaceia (a remedy) · fr solution miracle (a remedy) · fr panacée (a remedy) · fr formule magique (a remedy) · ja 魔弾 (a remedy) · el μαγική συνταγή (a remedy) · fr remède miracle (a remedy) · it panacea (a remedy)