MacGuffin
Say it: muh-GUF-in /məˈɡʌfɪn/ · noun
What “MacGuffin” means
Something characters chase that matters mainly because it drives the story.
More precisely: An object or goal that drives a plot but matters little in itself.
Example: “The stolen briefcase is just a MacGuffin; the film is really about trust.”
When to use it
In discussions of films or stories, for the sought-after thing that keeps characters moving without needing much explanation.
Similar words
plot device, pretext, catalyst
Where it comes from
Popularised by the film director Alfred Hitchcock.
Quick check
Everyone chases a sealed envelope, but its contents never matter; the story explores their changing loyalties. The envelope is…
a motif or a MacGuffin?
Show the answer
a MacGuffin
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