magic word
noun
1A word supposed to produce effects by magic; (in plural) the words comprising an incantation or spell.
2Any word or (in plural) phrase regarded as imbued with some special significance, or as having a pronounced or remarkable effect like that of magic (especially ‘please’); (frequently) one which permits or otherwise influences a specific action or event.
Origin
Late 16th century; earliest use found in John Studley (c1545–?1590), translator.
- know-nothing
- know-nothingism
- know-nothingness
- know-not-what
- known quantity
- know one's onions
- know one's own mind
- know one's way around (or about)
- knowpert
- know someone by sight
- know someone in the biblical sense
- know something backwards
- know something for a fact
- know something inside out
- know something like the back of one's hand
- know the ropes
- know the score
- know what one is about
- know what one is talking about
- know what one likes
- know what's what
- know which side one's bread is buttered (on)
- know who's who
- Knox, Henry
- Knox, John