Increased antibiotic use along with the stagnant drug development in the pharmaceutical industry has lead to one of the world's most devastating problems: antibiotic resistant bacteria. The reign of antibiotic resistant bacteria like S. aureus continues to impact the lives of millions. A new pathway called trans-translation has been identified as a unique opportunity for fighting antibiotic resistance. Demonstrating that trans-translation is essential in S. aureus can ultimately lead to saving countless lives.