sure (redirected from sureness)

*sure as God made little green apples and *sure as eggs is eggs; *sure as fate; *sure as I'm stand-ing here; *sure as you live

Rur. absolutely certain. (*Also: as ~.) I'm as sure as God made little green apples that he's the one. I'm right, as sure as you live!

See also: apple, god, green, little, made

*sure as hell

Inf. very sure. (Use discretion with hell. *Also: as ~.) As sure as hell, III be there on time. As sure as hell he did it!

See also: hell

(I) can't say for sure.

Inf. I do not know with any certainty. Tom: When will the next train come through? Jane: I can't say for sure. Bob: How can the driver hit so many potholes? Bill: Can't say for sure. I know he doesn't see too well, though.

See also: say

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: certain

for sure

for certain. I will be there for sure. Sally: Are you ready to go? Bob: For sure. Sally: Then, let's go.

I am so sure!

Inf. I am right! You are way rad! I am so sure! This is too much. l am so sure!

make sure (of something)

to check something and be certain about it. Please make sure of your facts before you write the report. We made sure of the route we had to follow before we left. Please double-check and make sure.

See also: make

oh, sure (someone or something will)

inf. a sarcastic expression claiming that someone or something will do something or that something will happen. Andy: Don't worry. I'll do it. Rachel: Oh, sure you will. That's what you always say. Bob: I'll fix this fence the first chancel get. Mary: Oh, sure. When will that be? Next year?

slow but sure and slowly but surely

slow but unstoppable. Bob's progress on his novel was slow but sure. Nancy is finishing the paint job on her house, slowly but surely.

See also: but, slow

Sure as shooting!

Inf. Absolutely yes! (An elaboration of Sure.) Bill: Are you going to be there Monday night? Bob: Sure as shooting! Bob: Will you take this over to the main office? Bill: Sure as shooting!

sure bet and sure thing

a certainty; something that is sure to take place. Of course, this land will become valuable in a few years. It's a sure thing!

See also: bet

Sure thing.

Inf. I certainly will. Sue: Will you be at the reception? Bob: Sure thing. Bill: You remember my cousin, Tom, don't you? Bob: Sure thing. Hi, Tom.

See also: thing

swift and sure

fast and certain. (As with the flight of a well-aimed arrow.) The response of the governor to the criticism by the opposing party was swift and sure. The boxer's punch was swift and sure and resulted in a quick knockout and a very short match.

See also: and, swift

That's for dang sure!

Rur. That is quite certain! (The formulaic response to That's for sure!. The accent is always on the dang.) Tom: That's for sure! Jane: That's for dang sure! Sally: We'll be there and that's for sure! Bill: Yup! That's for dang sure!

See also: dang

What do you know for sure?

Inf. How are you?; What do you know? (Familiar. An elaboration of What do you know? Does not require a direct answer.) Tom: Hey, man! What do you know for sure? Bill: Howdy, Tom. What's new? John: How are you doing, old buddy? Bill: Great, John! John: What do you know for sure? Bill: Nothing much.

See also: know

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(as) sure as eggs (are/is eggs)  (British & Australian old-fashioned)

something that you say when you are certain about what is going to happen or what someone will do He'll be back again next week asking for more money, sure as eggs is eggs.

See also: egg

a safe bet  (British, American & Australian) also a sure bet (American)

1. something that you are certain will happen It's a safe bet that those two will settle down and have children. Wheeler is a sure bet for a place on the team.

2. someone or something that you are certain will win or succeed She is still a safe bet for re-election. Simplicity of design is a sure bet in the fashion world.

See also: bet, safe

be a sure thing  (American & Australian informal)

to be certain to happen or to succeed It's a sure thing she'll buy the most expensive jacket in the store. His re-election is hardly a sure thing.

See also: thing

sure as hell  (American & Australian very informal)

something that you say to emphasize that you are very angry or determined about something I sure as hell wish I'd never asked him to my house.

See also: hell

sure thing  (American informal)

something that you say in order to agree to someone's request 'Can you give me a ride tomorrow morning?' 'Sure thing - no problem.'

See a safe bet

See also: thing

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for sure

without any doubt for certain We're coming to visit you for sure this summer.

Usage notes: often used in the form that's for sure: They don't want any of us there this weekend, that's for sure.

Related vocabulary: you bet

sure as hell

surely He may not be a college graduate, but he sure as hell knows how to run a business.

See also: hell

sure enough

as expected He said he left the book on the desk, and sure enough, there it was.

See also: enough