be a sure thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be a sure thing" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is certain or guaranteed to happen. Example: "With her experience and skills, she is a sure thing for the promotion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

It seemed, in theory, to be a sure thing.

Independent

But that may not be a sure thing.

The Washington Post

But it wouldn't be a sure thing if it were Michael Phelps".

The New York Times - Health

Angel Di Maria was supposed to be a sure thing, £60m signings usually are.

Independent

They've just repeatedly messed up what should be a sure thing.

The Guardian - Sport

Considering the cafe's French antecedents, I thought this would be a sure thing.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Neither step is a sure thing.

The New York Times

Neither deal was a sure thing.

The New York Times - Sports

"No career is a sure thing anymore.

The New York Times

Nothing is a sure thing.

The New York Times

"He's a sure thing.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. While generally acceptable, in very formal or academic writing, alternatives like "be a certainty" might be preferred.

Common error

Avoid using "be a sure thing" when there's still a significant possibility of failure or unexpected outcomes. It can mislead or create false expectations if the situation remains uncertain.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be a sure thing" functions as a predicate nominative, describing a subject as something that is certain or guaranteed. Ludwig AI's examples illustrate its use in predicting outcomes with high confidence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be a sure thing" is a common idiom used to express a high level of confidence or certainty about an outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across varied contexts, especially in news and media. Although versatile, avoid using this phrase in uncertain contexts to prevent misleading expectations. Alternative phrases like "be a certainty" or "be a foregone conclusion" can provide similar meanings with slight shifts in nuance. Remember that while the phrase suggests near-guaranteed success, unforeseen circumstances can always arise, so it's wise to use it judiciously.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be a certainty

Focuses on the guaranteed nature of the event, emphasizing lack of doubt.

be a guaranteed outcome

Highlights the assurance and predictability of the result.

be beyond doubt

Emphasizes that there is no uncertainty about the outcome.

be a foregone conclusion

Suggests the outcome is inevitable and predetermined.

be assured

Highlights the confidence one can have in the expected outcome.

be a done deal

Implies the agreement or arrangement is finalized and irreversible.

be a shoo-in

Indicates someone is highly likely to win or succeed.

be a lock

Suggests the outcome is secured and cannot be changed.

be in the bag

Informal way of saying something is secured or guaranteed.

be a cinch

Informal; signifies something will be easy to accomplish and certain to succeed.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is described as a "sure thing"?

When something is described as a "sure thing", it means it's highly likely to succeed or happen without fail. There's a very high probability of a favorable outcome.

How can I use "be a sure thing" in a sentence?

You can use "be a sure thing" to describe outcomes that appear guaranteed. For example, "With her experience, landing this job should "be a sure thing"".

What can I say instead of "be a sure thing"?

You can use alternatives like "be a certainty", "be a foregone conclusion", or "be guaranteed" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to describe something as "a sure thing"?

No, it's important to use this phrase judiciously. If there's any reasonable doubt or risk involved, it's more accurate to avoid definitive language and acknowledge the possibility of unexpected outcomes.