sure thing

noun

: one that is certain to succeed : a sure bet

Examples of sure thing in a Sentence

he's a sure thing for the promotion: he's the most qualified candidate by far
Recent Examples on the Web In Murdoch World, as in the fictional world of the Roy family, seemingly sure things can go sideways in an instant, particularly when unexpected opportunities arise. David Hamilton, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2023 There still are more unanswered questions about the team than sure things, and the upcoming slate will show who the Trojans really are. Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2023 Larry, whose teammates included sure things Kevin McHale and Robert Parish, retired in 1992, but Bourque kept our streak alive until 2000. Bob Ryan, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2023 That’s because Chubb is the only sure thing for the Browns at running back right now. cleveland, 22 Aug. 2023 The only sure things in this draft, scouts said, are the top three picks. Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2023 Kerr, meanwhile, struggled to strike a balance between securing a playoff berth (no sure thing) and developing young players like Moses Moody, Jonathan Kuminga and James Wiseman, who was eventually traded midseason. Scott Cacciola, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2023 At the end of the day, there is no sure thing in a clinical trial from a patient’s point of view. Erica Goode, STAT, 17 Apr. 2023 The wild card is almost certainly not an option, so Cleveland has to not only play well but also hope Minnesota continues to underperform; that’s no sure thing. Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 21 July 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sure thing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1767, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sure thing was in 1767

Dictionary Entries Near sure thing

Cite this Entry

“Sure thing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sure%20thing. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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