Meaning & use
sure thing
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Meanings
nouncountable
Something that is certain to happen or succeed, with no real risk of failure.
Grammar: Often used in the phrase 'a sure thing'.
Patterns
- a sure thing
- not a sure thing
Investing in that company is not a sure thing; you could lose money.
The election was considered a sure thing for the incumbent.
He thought passing the exam was a sure thing, so he didn't study.
interjectioninformal
Used informally to agree readily to a request, meaning 'yes, of course.'
Grammar: Used as a standalone reply, often to a request or offer.
Can you give me a hand with this? Sure thing!
Sure thing, I'll be there at eight.
A: 'Could you pass the salt?' B: 'Sure thing.'
Common combinations
- a sure thing
- Betting on that horse is hardly a sure thing.
- no sure thing
- Victory is no sure thing in this election.
- sure thing!
- Sure thing! I'll help you move.
Synonyms and how they differ
- certainty
- Certainty is a more formal noun for something that is definitely true or will happen; sure thing is informal and often used in speech.
- sure bet
- Sure bet is similar but often used in the context of gambling or risky situations; sure thing is more general.
Opposites
Commonly confused: sure thing or sure thing vs. sure bet?
sure thing vs sure thing vs. sure bet
A sure bet is a very likely success, especially in betting; a sure thing is any certain success. They are close, but 'sure bet' is more informal and often used in gambling contexts.
Practice
A: 'Can you help me with my homework?' B: '______'
Choose one answer.
As an interjection meaning 'yes, of course', the correct form is 'Sure thing' (no article). 'A sure thing' is a noun phrase meaning something certain, not a reply. The other options are grammatically incorrect.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “sure thing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.