silver bullet

American  

noun

1. a quick solution to a difficult problem.

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Etymology

Origin of silver bullet

First recorded in 1930–35; from the belief that supernatural beings, as werewolves, can be killed with a silver bullet

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

silver bullet

“There is AI expertise and some AI optimism, but not an exclusive focus on AI disinflation as a silver bullet for inflation.”

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 9, 2026

“Is the SAT or ACT or standardized testing a silver bullet for making admissions better? No way, nobody’s suggesting it is,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 9, 2026

But it is not a "silver bullet", she stresses, adding that such measures are more likely to have greater impact when used with wider enforcement, public awareness campaigns and accessible waste disposal services.

From BBC ● May 28, 2026

None of these reforms would be a silver bullet against revenge prosecutions, but together they would make such abuses far harder to carry out.

From Slate ● May 1, 2026

Doctor Gordon cradled his pencil like a slim, silver bullet.

From "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath