magic bullet
Perfect simple solution
A magic bullet is a simple, seemingly miraculous solution to a complex problem—especially in medicine, a drug that cures a disease without side effects.
The term comes from early 20th-century hopes for chemicals that would target only diseased cells.
Now often used skeptically: There's no magic bullet for weight loss.
The related silver bullet carries similar meaning.
- cure-allSupposed universal remedy
- panaceaUniversal cure
- wonder drugRemarkably effective new medicine
- miracle cureInstant, implausible healing solution
- holy grailSupremely elusive objective
easy answer · Paul Ehrlich · elixir · remedy · antidote · syphilis · miracle drug · quick fix · JFK · solution · shortcut · single shot · nostrum · Oswald · targeted therapy · monoclonal antibody · precision medicine · pharmaceutical
- advantagesedge, leverage, upper hand, leg up, head start
- combat idiomsstab in the back, in the crosshairs, fire away, take a shot, under the gun
- cure-allspanacea, cure-all, nostrum, snake oil, miracle cure
- KennedysJFK, Kennedy, Kennedy family, Robert Kennedy, Ted Kennedy
- ideal solutionsbest answer, perfect fit, right answer, holy grail, win-win
- media theoryagenda setting, gatekeeping, framing, hypodermic needle, information theory
magic bullethalf-measure
Inadequate partial action
band-aid solution · stopgap · dead end · palliative · temporary fix
magic bullethard truth
Unpleasant accurate statement
harsh reality · cold comfort · bitter pill · pipe dream · fool's errand