magic asterisks

Noun

magic asterisk (plural magic asterisks)

1. (idiomatic) an unspecified future budget cut, especially an imaginary cut.
   • 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.1986 May 11, Michael Kinsley, “IN THE LAND OF THE MAGIC ASTERISK”, in New York Times