sure thing
77
2.4
- noun
:
certeza
- The one sure thing is that they are propelled by their own national agendas.
So he was like, well, if that's, if that's a sure thing, I'm out.
- So he was like, well, if that's, if that's a sure thing, I'm out.
- Yeah, he said this is a sure thing.
- Don't be the sort of person who takes on just the sure thing.
- But because these bets are not sure things, once in a while this gambler is going to lose.
- Here's a few examples of why that cage match might not be a sure thing.
- What I hear when I read that is if I met the right girl, it's still not a sure thing.
Examples
-
In today's healthcare environment, the only sure thing is change.
Academic text (2003) -
Every basket is a swish shot; every basket is a sure thing because I believe I can do it.
Fiction book (1994) -
Hopefully we will get to see it, but it is not a sure thing that we will.
Academic text (1997) -
Once, the only sure things in life had been death and taxes.
Fiction book (2001) -
Few of these productions had been sure things, but all had found a niche in the commercial theater.
Academic text (2007) -
Betting against Greg's roll is the only sure thing there is in the world.
Fiction book (2000) -
"That's a sure thing," Philip sipped his wine, hoping it would open his throat.
Fiction book (1995) -
Why does "intermittent reinforcement" seem so much more enticing than a sure thing?
Academic text (2003) -
Echoing the prevailing buzz in Hollywood, the Vegas Hilton is gambling on one sure thing
Fiction book (1992) -
When investing in that startup, many believe it's a sure thing for high returns.
Synonyms
202
3.4
A strong feeling that something is true or will happen
14
3.7
A result that is sure to happen and cannot be changed
1
9.9
A person or thing very likely to win
Antonyms
How Certain
- Literature
202
3.4
77
2.4
- Informal
2
3.7
∞
2.0
- Informal
14
4.6
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'something that is certain' is directly derivable from combining 'sure' (certain) with 'thing' (an item/event); it follows a straightforward adjective + noun compositional pattern. This construction is cross-linguistically common and thus a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily understand the MWE.
Etymology
Sure thing comes from old betting talk: a gambler who thought a bet would definitely win called it a sure thing. So today it means 'something that is certain'.