silver bullet
Americannoun
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The head of Europe's video game rating system, PEGI, has warned against supposed "silver bullet" child protection solutions such as age verification, in an interview with AFP.
From Barron's • Mar. 23, 2026
Though the effect was strong, platelet factor 4 won't be a silver bullet that reverses the aging of all tissues and prolongs the lifespan of elderly human patients alone, Pinho said.
From Science Daily • Dec. 31, 2025
"There is no silver bullet to it, it is more medium to long term what we need to look at with our squad," said coach Jason Gilmore after a sixth defeat in eight league games.
From BBC • Dec. 29, 2025
“There’s no silver bullet, we need it all,” Wirth said at the conference, highlighting that the demand for oil, coal, as well as other energy sources are “higher than it is ever been.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 10, 2025
Shucks, I couldn’t remember for sure if you killed a vampire by driving a stake in its heart or by shooting it with a silver bullet!
From "Bud, Not Buddy" by Christopher Paul Curtis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
