surefire

[shoor-fahy^uhr, shur-]

adjective

1. sure to work; foolproof.

   a surefire moneymaking scheme.

Word History and Origins

Origin of surefire¹

First recorded in 1915–20; sure + fire

Example Sentences

In the last few years, though, she’s realized that “being very dogmatic with my body is a surefire way to feel really bad,” she says.

From Los Angeles Times

The Times's Kevin Maher awarded the film four-stars, calling it a "career high" for Shutter Island actor DiCaprio, adding the film is "a surefire Oscar frontrunner".

From BBC

While David Zucker told the Hollywood Reporter in May that he didn’t think this spoof would feel “current” for a time when “they don’t make cop movies anymore,” Schaffer’s film is surefire proof that sometimes, old tricks just need a modern refresh to work as well as they used to.

From Salon

Part of the reason for this is that apartments, with their standardized dimensions, have effectively become interchangeable financial commodities: An apartment in Seoul is seen as a much more surefire bet than any stock, leading to intense real estate investment and speculation that has driven up home prices.

From Los Angeles Times

But these once surefire hits have never been so limp and antiseptic.

From Salon

Related Words

• foolproof