Definition

1. Noun:
   • A guaranteed or certain outcome: An event, result, or situation that is considered absolutely inevitable or assured of success.
   • An absolute certainty: Something that is beyond doubt or question.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • "If you invest with them, a profit is a sure thing." (It is a guaranteed outcome.)
  • "After seeing their preparation, winning the championship seemed like a sure thing." (It appeared to be an absolute certainty.)
  • In response to a request: "Can you help me move tomorrow?" – "Sure thing!" (This is an idiomatic, informal expression meaning "certainly" or "definitely," confirming the action as if it were a certainty.)

Advanced Usage

• As an informal affirmative response: Used colloquially to mean "yes," "certainly," or "of course," expressing confident agreement.
  • "Could you pass the salt?" – "Sure thing!"
• To describe a reliable bet: Often used in contexts of predictions or low-risk situations.
  • "That horse is the sure thing in the third race."

Variants and Related Words

• Certainty (n): The state of being certain; an inevitable event.
  • There's no certainty that the deal will close.
• Surefire (adj): Certain to succeed.
  • He has a surefire plan for success.
• Guarantee (n): A formal promise or assurance, often of a specific result.
  • There is no guarantee of fair weather.

Synonyms

• Certainty
• Inevitable
• Foregone conclusion
• Safe bet

Related Phrases

• A sure thing: The core phrase itself, often used with the article 'a'.
  • Getting the job was not a sure thing, so I kept applying elsewhere.

Related Idioms

• "It's in the bag": Means something is certain to be won or achieved.
  • After the final interview, she felt the job was in the bag.
• "A done deal": Refers to something that has been conclusively agreed upon or is certain to happen.
  • The merger is a done deal; the contracts are signed.

Noun

1. something that is certain
   • his victory is a certainty