Meaning of magic asterisk | Babel Free

Definitions

an unspecified future budget cut, especially an imaginary cut.

idiomatic

Examples

“The other technique, known as the "magic asterisk," consisted of hiding phony cuts in the small print of various budget documents in order to exaggerate the Administration's success in spending reduction and to minimize the projected deficit.”

“Howard Baker, then a Senator, had dubbed them the "magic asterisk," for it was blithely assumed that they would be taken care of at a later date.”

“"They have a magic asterisk," Hoyer said. The magic asterisk: The words alone are enough to strike fear into the hearts of grizzled veterans of the budget wars.”

CEFR level