sure thing

American  

noun

1. something that is or is supposed to be a certain success, as a bet or a business venture.

   He thinks that real estate is a sure thing.

2. something assured; certainty.

   It's a sure thing that he'll refuse to cooperate.

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interjection

1. surely; for sure; O.K.

sure thing British  

adverb

1. (sentence substitute) all right! yes indeed! used to express enthusiastic assent

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noun

1. something guaranteed to be successful

sure thing Idioms  

1. a sure thing . A certainty, as in Making the bestseller list has been a sure thing for Stephen King . This usage originally alluded to a bet that one could not lose. [First half of 1800s]

2. Yes indeed, certainly, as in Are you coming tonight?—Sure thing! This use of the idiom as an interjection dates from the late 1800s.

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Etymology

Origin of sure thing

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

Example Sentences

But they rose to the occasion and they make sure things are done when they’re home.

From Los Angeles Times

AbbVie is making a pricey bet that they will prove to work safely—no sure thing.

From The Wall Street Journal

I don’t know if that’s good or bad, but I resist it when someone says, ‘Oh, I’m sure things are different now.’

From Los Angeles Times

I’ve had to get out of bed sometimes to make sure things in the kitchen were evenly spaced enough.

From Literature

It takes a lot of time to make sure things are so synchronized and super sharp.

From Los Angeles Times