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blue pill

American  

noun

Pharmacology.
  1. a pill of blue mass, used in medicine chiefly as a cathartic.


Etymology

Origin of blue pill

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For Cosm, it’s the early days, but it’s a vision that needs neither a red nor blue pill.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2025

The blue pill offered the chance to remain in his comfortable fantasy world, believing whatever he wants to believe.

From Washington Times • Jan. 5, 2022

Pop the blue pill and return to life as Mr Anderson blissfully unaware of the matrix, the simulated world created to covertly enslave humanity.

From BBC • Dec. 20, 2021

A teaser poster for "The Matrix Resurrections" was also revealed alongside an updated interactive website that displays the familiar options of choosing the red pill or the blue pill.

From Fox News • Sep. 7, 2021

“Look here, old chap, if I were you, I’d go and ask Jones to give me a blue pill, to be followed eight hours later by one of his delicious liqueurs, all syrup of senna.”

From Hunting the Skipper The Cruise of the "Seafowl" Sloop by Piffard, Harold