💊 A cure-all 🛠️ A universal solution

panpharmacon

9.9

A solution people think will solve every problem

noun

Archaic

: panfármaco

There is no panpharmacon for complex economic problems, despite what some leaders claim.

Examples

The new policy was presented as a panpharmacon, but it failed to address deeper issues.
Some people believe that technology will be a panpharmacon for all of society's challenges.
Many people believe that the new panpharmacon will solve all their problems.
Is there really a panpharmacon for our social issues?
Some people believe that technology will be a panpharmacon for all of society's challenges.
There is no panpharmacon for complex economic problems, despite what some leaders claim.
The new policy was presented as a panpharmacon, but it failed to address deeper issues.

Synonyms

panacea

vspanpharmacon

17 9.6

A supposed cure for all problems

is presented as a supposed solution for all problems rather than a proven cure

cure-all

vspanpharmacon

7 7.5

A medicine that people say cures every illness but often does not work

is framed as a believed universal solution rather than a skeptical claim

Antonyms

complication

99 4.1

Something that makes a plan or situation harder to deal with

ineffective treatment

1 3.7

Care or medicine that does not make someone better

How Universal

panpharmacon

Archaic

9.9

panacea

17 9.6

solution

∞ 2.1

quick-and-dirty fix

Informal

6.6

Surface Forms

panpharmacon singular

panpharmacons plural

Morphology

panpharmacon = pharmacon (transparent) = pan + pharmacon

The figurative extension from a 'universal medical remedy' to a 'universal solution to problems' is predictable once the literal components are understood.

Etymology

Panpharmacon comes from Greek parts pan- 'all' and pharmakon 'drug', and the pharm part is the same as in pharmacy. So a panpharmacon is a 'remedy for all', which is why people use it for any one idea or plan that is said to solve every problem.