bullet

USAGE SUMMARY

'bullet' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to a small metal projectile fired from a gun, or as a metaphor to refer to something brief yet powerful, such as an argument or a point in a presentation. For example: "His bullet-point presentation highlighted the key points of his business plan quickly and efficiently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

TV & Radio

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The committee, which took evidence from civil servants, ministers, NGOs and Europe, criticised Britain for giving too much importance to economic development, which it too often viewed as a magic bullet in development.

The Guardian

Clinical officers across Africa have improved service delivery in areas such as obstetric surgery and anaesthesia but they are not the silver bullet.

The Guardian

John Curtice, professor of politics at Strathclyde University, said on his What Scotland Thinks blog that the poll had dispelled any hopes that Murphy's election would prove to be a magic bullet for Scottish Labour.

The Guardian

And it was always the same dream: in the dream I'd be asleep, I'd wake up, sit up in my bed, and he'd be sitting there on the edge of my bed, staring at me, with the bullet hole still in his chin, about the size of a nickel.

The Guardian

So bite the bullet before it bites you and go out early with a kamikaze boom.

The Guardian - Arts

One healthcare professional claimed Stevens was a "positive uniting figure but [was] blundering on personal budgets and specialised commissioning, and seeing co-commissioning as a silver bullet".

The Guardian

The trenches were littered with the detritus of war – bullet casings, scraps of uniform and empty food tins.

The Guardian

Those with more steel (and perhaps safer seats) say the era of the leadership silver bullet is over.

The Guardian

Authorities say a man shot an armadillo, but ended up accidentally wounding his mother-in-law when the bullet ricocheted off the mammal's hard shell.

The Guardian

They found 16 bullet wounds, showing he was probably executed by machine gun fire.

The Guardian

In November 2013, an agent mistakenly left a bullet from his gun in the hotel room of a woman he met in a Washington bar and alerted hotel staff when she would not let him back into the room.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bullet" metaphorically (e.g., "silver bullet"), ensure the context clearly indicates that you are referring to a quick solution, not a literal projectile.

Common error

Avoid using "bite the bullet" when you simply want to express excitement about something. It exclusively refers to facing an unavoidable, unpleasant situation with resolve.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "bullet" is as a noun, referring to a projectile. It can also function as a verb, meaning to move with great speed, as seen in the example from Ludwig: "He bulleted a header for his first score of the season."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

20%

TV & Radio

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "bullet" is a very common noun with multiple meanings, most notably a projectile fired from a firearm. As Ludwig AI suggests, it also extends metaphorically to represent quick solutions ("silver bullet") or facing difficult situations ("bite the bullet"). Its usage is widespread across news, sports, and entertainment, as evidenced by the examples provided by Ludwig. While generally neutral in register, idiomatic uses may introduce informality. Remember to consider context when interpreting the intended meaning of "bullet".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

projectile

Focuses on the object's nature as something launched, omitting the specific association with firearms.

ammunition

Emphasizes the collective aspect of projectiles, rather than a single instance.

shot

Highlights the action of firing a projectile, rather than the projectile itself.

cannonball

Refers specifically to a large, spherical projectile used in cannons, a specific type of bullet.

silver bullet

Implies a simple, almost magical, solution to a complex problem.

bite the bullet

Suggests facing a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage and stoicism.

fast train

Specifically referring to the Japanese high-speed train.

point

In the context of bullet points, representing a specific element in a list.

rejection letter

Referring to 'bullet' as a slang term for a letter of rejection.

bitter pill

Implies accepting something unpleasant, similar to 'biting the bullet'.

FAQs

How can "bullet" be used in a sentence?

The word "bullet" can be used in a sentence to describe a projectile fired from a gun, as in "The "bullet hit the target"". It can also be used metaphorically, as in "There is no "silver bullet" to solve this problem".

What are some synonyms for "bullet"?

Synonyms for "bullet" include "projectile", "shot", and "ammunition". The specific synonym to use will depend on the context.

What does it mean to "bite the bullet"?

To "bite the bullet" means to face a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage and stoicism.

Is "bullet" formal or informal?

The word "bullet" itself is neutral, neither particularly formal nor informal. However, slang usages of the term may lean towards informality.