magic bullet

magic bullet   n.   Slang Something regarded as a magical solution or cure: "There is no magic bullet against cancer" (Matt Clark).

silver bullet and magic bullet n. a specific, fail-safe solution to a problem. (From the notion that a bullet made of silver is required to shoot a werewolf.) : I'm not suggesting that the committee has provided us with a silver bullet, only that their advice was timely and useful. , I don't know the answer. I don't have a magic bullet!

Main Entry: mag·ic bul·let
Pronunciation: 'maj-ik-'bul-&t
Function: noun
: 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

magic bullet mag·ic bullet (māj'ĭk)
n.
A drug, therapy, or preventive therapy that cures or prevents a disease.

magic bullet jargon
(Or "silver bullet" from vampire legends) A term widely used in software engineering for a supposed quick, simple cure for some problem. E.g. "There's no silver bullet for this problem".
(1999-01-13)