beyond a shadow of a doubt
7
4.2
- idiom
:
sin lugar a dudas
- The evidence presented in court proved, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he was innocent.
- proves beyond a shadow of a doubt
- know beyond a shadow of a doubt
- clear beyond a shadow of a doubt
Now, how do I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it's my fault?
- Now, how do I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it's my fault?
- I am convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Triple Trumpers are the biggest threat to democracies worldwide.
- And these three randomized control trials prove that beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Examples
-
But in the absence of diplomatic backing and trust from other countries, the United States needed proof beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Academic text (2003) -
That's what last night proved beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Blog text (15) -
Now, how do I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it's my fault?
-
Now how do I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it's my fault?
-
If we were able to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is a life beyond this?
-
One has to have evidence beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Blog text (8) -
And I'm gonna prove it to you beyond a shadow of a doubt.
-
And she has proven, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that she has that kind of talent.
Blog text (20) -
Their experiment worked and proved beyond a shadow of a doubt what they have been claiming.
Blog text (2) -
I am convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Triple Trumpers are the biggest threat to democracies worldwide.
Synonyms
7
3.0
Completely sure with no chance of being wrong
7
2.3
Says that something is certainly true
4
2.8
Completely certain with no possible reason to think it is wrong
3
8.6
Clearly and without doubt
1
9.0
Clearly true and cannot be doubted
Antonyms
How Certain
Surface Forms
Morphology
beyond + a + shadow + of + a + doubt
The core sense 'without doubt' can be partly derived from the constituents 'beyond' and 'doubt', so a learner might guess the general direction of meaning. However, 'a shadow of a doubt' is a metaphorical element ('shadow' = a slight trace) that is idiomatic and adds emphatic force; this figurative step may not be fully predictable for a B1 learner. Because part of the meaning is compositional but the metaphorical modifier is non-literal, the expression is best judged semi-transparent.
Etymology
Beyond a shadow of a doubt may come from the picture of a very bright light that leaves no shadow. So if something is beyond a shadow of a doubt, there is no sign of doubt left and you are 'completely certain'.