death and taxes, (certain as)

(as) certain as death and taxes

Certain to happen; inevitable and unavoidable. A variation of the proverbial phrase, "Nothing is certain but death and taxes." They just aren't right for each other; they're certain as death and taxes to break up eventually. The two brothers will be forever at each other's throats, as certain as death and taxes. Of course Evelyn got the promotion—it was as certain as death and taxes. She is the boss's favorite, after all.

See also: and, certain, death, taxes

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

death and taxes, (certain as)

Absolutely inevitable. This ironic phrase was coined by Benjamin Franklin in a letter to Jean Baptiste Le Roy in 1789: “But in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” It has been repeated ever since.

See also: and, death

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer