a slam dunk

USAGE SUMMARY

"a slam dunk" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that has been easily accomplished or is certain to succeed. For example, "The new marketing campaign was a slam dunk - it increased company sales by 25% in just one month!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A slam dunk, surely?

The Guardian - Books

That's a slam dunk.

The New York Times

But it's not a slam dunk".

The New York Times

"It was a slam dunk," Watson said.

The New York Times - Sports

He followed that with a slam dunk.

The New York Times - Sports

It was not a slam dunk.

The New Yorker

"They're a slam dunk," says Mozaffarian.

Harvard University

I think that's a slam dunk.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This isn't a slam dunk for Democrats.

The New York Times

"It's not a slam dunk," he said.

The New York Times

Congratulations Four Seasons, that's a slam dunk.

The Telegraph

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a slam dunk" when you want to convey a sense of certainty and ease in achieving a particular outcome. It's effective for showing confidence in a prediction or plan.

Common error

Avoid using "a slam dunk" in highly formal or academic writing. While widely understood, it can come across as too casual. Opt for more professional alternatives like "assured success" or "easily achievable" in formal reports or scholarly articles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slam dunk" functions primarily as an idiom used adjectivally to describe something easily achieved or certain to succeed. As Ludwig AI suggests, it denotes a high probability of a positive outcome in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Sports

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slam dunk" is a widely used idiom that signifies something easily achievable or certain to succeed. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and functions primarily as an adjective. While prevalent in news and media, its usage extends to academic and sports contexts, albeit with varying degrees of formality. The related phrases, like "a sure thing" or "a piece of cake", offer alternative ways to express certainty, albeit with different nuances. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, "a slam dunk" effectively conveys confidence and assurance, making it a valuable addition to one's lexicon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a sure thing

Focuses on the certainty of success, implying minimal risk or doubt.

a piece of cake

Emphasizes the ease and simplicity of the task or achievement.

a walk in the park

Highlights the effortless nature of the undertaking, suggesting it requires little exertion.

guaranteed success

Directly states the assured outcome, removing any uncertainty.

easily accomplished

Focuses on the straightforward nature of achieving the desired result.

a cinch

Indicates that something is extremely easy to do or achieve.

a foregone conclusion

Suggests the outcome is already determined and inevitable.

in the bag

Implies that success is already secured or finalized.

no-brainer

Indicates a decision or choice that is obvious and requires little thought.

certain victory

Emphasizes the inevitability of winning or achieving the desired outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "a slam dunk" in a sentence?

You can use "a slam dunk" to describe something that is easily achieved or certain to succeed. For example: "Securing that contract was "a slam dunk" for our company".

What's a less casual alternative to "a slam dunk"?

For more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "assured success", "guaranteed outcome", or "easily achievable". These options maintain a professional tone.

Is it appropriate to use "a slam dunk" in academic writing?

While widely understood, "a slam dunk" is generally too informal for academic writing. Strive for more precise and formal language, such as "a certain result" or "a highly probable outcome".

What's the origin of the phrase "a slam dunk"?

The phrase "a slam dunk" originates from basketball, where it refers to a type of shot that is very difficult to block and almost always scores. Its use has expanded to describe any situation with a high probability of success.