certain

certain party

someone you know but whom I do not wish to name. I spoke to a certain party about the matter you mentioned. If a certain party finds out about you-know-what, what on earth will you do?

See also: party

certain sure

Rur. very sure. Tom: Are you sure you saw Bill at work today? Mary: Certain sure. If you keep hanging around with them no-good kids, you'll get in a heap of trouble for certain sure.

See also: sure

come in a certain position

to finish in a certain position or rank. Fred came in fourth in the race. He was afraid he would come in last.

See also: come, position

dead certain

very sure. (Dead means absolutely.) I'm dead certain that horse will win. I bet two hundred on it myself. I didn't believe the rumor at first, but Bill's dead certain that it's true.

See also: dead

make certain of something

to check something in order to be sure. Please make certain of what you want to do. Would you please make certain of the number of things you want to order?

See also: make

Nothing is certain but death and taxes.

Prov. Everything in life is unpredictable, except that you can be sure you will die and you will have to pay taxes. (You can also refer to death and taxes as the only certain things in life.) Son: I can't believe how much tax money is being withheld from my paycheck! Father: Welcome to adult life, where nothing is certain but death and taxes.

See also: and, but, death, nothing

Nothing is certain but the unforeseen.

Prov. You cannot foresee what will happen. Jill: Now that we've got a new boss, this is certain to be a nicer place to work. Jane: Nothing is certain but the unforeseen.

See also: but, nothing

sell something for a certain price

to market something at a certain price. I think I can sell this for twice what I paid for it. This is selling for twice the price at the shop down the street.

See also: price, sell

under certain circumstances and under certain conditions

Fig. depending on or influenced by something; because of something. Under certain conditions, you can see across the lake to the other side. Under certain circumstances, what you propose to do is all right.

See also: circumstance

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somebody of a certain age  (humorous)

used to avoid saying that a person, usually a woman, is no longer young but is not yet old It's a clothes boutique which caters for women of a certain age.

See also: age

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for certain

without any doubt for sure The only thing Jack could say for certain about Jill was that she was a complete mystery to him.

Related vocabulary: you bet

of a certain age

who are not young Adults of a certain age might want to spend a couple of hundred dollars more for a larger monitor that will be much easier on their eyes.

Usage notes: used to avoid saying middle aged or old

See also: age

under certain circumstances

because of particular conditions Your insurance will pay for that surgery, but only under certain circumstances, for example if it's an emergency.

See also: circumstance