sure as shooting
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Absolutely certain, guaranteed to happen: Used to emphasize that something is completely certain or inevitable, with no doubt whatsoever.
Adverb:
- Definitely, positively, without any doubt: Used to modify a verb or a whole statement to express absolute certainty about an action or outcome.
Usage
- Adjective: Typically used in the phrase "as sure as shooting" to function as a predicate adjective, following a linking verb like "is" or "are."
- Adverb: Used to modify a verb or clause, often appearing at the end of a sentence for emphasis.
Examples
Adjective:
- It is sure as shooting that the sun will rise tomorrow. (It is absolutely certain.)
- If you bet on that horse, your loss is sure as shooting. (Your loss is guaranteed.)
Adverb:
- He'll be there, sure as shooting. (He will definitely be there.)
- We're going to win this game, sure as shooting. (We are positively going to win.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase "sure as shooting" is an informal idiom that adds folksy or emphatic color to a statement of certainty. It is often used in spoken English for dramatic effect.
- It can sometimes be shortened in very casual speech to "sure as," with "shooting" being implied.
Variants and Related Words
- For sure (adv. phrase): Definitely, certainly.
- I'll be there for sure.
- Sure enough (adv. phrase): As was expected or predicted.
- I said it would rain, and sure enough, it did.
- Certain (adj.): Known for sure; established beyond doubt.
- Positive (adj.): Completely certain.
Synonyms
- Without a doubt: With complete certainty.
- Without fail: In every case, invariably.
- Guaranteed: Promised to happen or be the case.
- Inevitably: As is certain to happen; unavoidably.
Related Idioms
- As sure as death and taxes: Used to say something is completely inevitable. (This is more formal/literary than "sure as shooting.")
- Bet your bottom dollar: To be absolutely certain about something. (Implies a willingness to wager everything on it.)
- Beyond a shadow of a doubt: With absolute certainty, leaving no possibility for doubt. (Often used in legal contexts.)
Adjective
- absolutely certain
- it is sure as shooting that they will come
Adverb
- definitely or positively (`sure' is sometimes used informally for `surely')
- the results are surely encouraging
- she certainly is a hard worker
- it's going to be a good day for sure
- they are coming, for certain
- they thought he had been killed sure enough
- he'll win sure as shooting
- they sure smell good
- sure he'll come