sure thing

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.

interjection

1. surely; for sure; O.K.

sure thing

adverb

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

noun

1. something guaranteed to be successful

Word History and Origins

Origin of sure thing¹

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

Idioms and Phrases

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]

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

Example Sentences

“Fredrick—if I may call you that —don’t be afraid. We are here to help make sure things go well.”

Read more on Literature

If there’s one immutable fact about TV, it is that there’s no such thing as a sure thing.

Read more on Salon

He felt this to be a very conservative bet, which he was able, through analysis, to turn into even more of a sure thing.

Read more on Literature

There is a lot not to like in this deal—and it’s far from a sure thing that it will get to the finish line.

Read more on Barron's

But stocks also are far from a sure thing.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal