pattern

Certainty & Possibility - Certainty

Discover how English idioms like "go without saying" and "beyond a shadow of a doubt" relate to certainty in English.

Review

Flashcards

Forms

Quiz

Start learning
English idioms related to Certainty & Possibility
to [bet] {one's} (life|boots|bottom dollar)

to express strongly and confidently that something is undoubtedly true or will certainly happen

Ex: I'm so confident in my team's victory that I would bet my life on it.
Close
Sign in
to {not} [count] {one's} chickens

to be cautious and not assume that something will succeed or happen as planned, as there is always a possibility of unforeseen obstacles or problems

Ex: After the successful job interview, he advised his friend not to count her chickens before receiving the official job offer.
Close
Sign in
beyond a shadow of a doubt

used when one can claim that something is true with all one's certainty

Ex: After years of dedicated practice and hard work, she believed beyond a shadow of a doubt that she could achieve her dream of becoming a professional athlete.
Close
Sign in
dollars to doughnuts

used to show one's utmost certainty about something

Ex: With her culinary skills, she'd bet dollars to doughnuts that her pie will be the tastiest at the bake-off.
Close
Sign in
hands down
hands down
[phrase]

in a way that is free of all ambiguity or uncertainty

Ex: Her artwork was the best in the exhibition, winning the top prize hands down.
Close
Sign in
to [go] without saying

used to say that something is so obvious that there is no need for further explanation

Ex: As a general rule, being polite and respectful to others should go without saying.
Close
Sign in
mark my [word]
mark my word
[sentence]

used when one is certain that something will happen at some point in the future

Ex: Mark my word, this novel will become a bestseller; the story is captivating and unique.
Close
Sign in
to [seal] {one's} fate

to do something that ensures that someone or something fails or something unpleasant happens to them

Ex: Neglecting your health and well-being can seal your fate, potentially leading to long-term health issues.
Close
Sign in
tried and true

denoting something that has been tested many times and proved to be reliable or effective

Ex: The company's success is built on a foundation of tried-and-true business practices that have been refined over the years.
Close
Sign in
acid test
acid test
[noun]

a way of proving the validity of a claim or determining the success rate of a plan

Ex: Meeting tight deadlines and delivering quality work is the acid test for any journalist in the fast-paced news industry .
Close
Sign in
a backward glance

a feeling of remorse, and reservation that one gets upon facing a challenge or finding oneself in an unexpected situation

Ex: The anniversary of their first meeting prompted a backward glance at the milestones they had achieved in their relationship.
Close
Sign in
to [feel] {sth} in {one's} bones

to believe something strongly, even though one cannot explain why

Ex: Even before the diagnosis, she felt in her bones that her health was deteriorating, and it prompted her to seek medical attention.
Close
Sign in
foregone conclusion

something that is assumed to be true or already decided upon before any evidence or arguments are presented

Ex: His dedicated training and hard work made it a foregone conclusion that he would set a new world record in the sport .
Close
Sign in
in no uncertain terms

in a way that is most clear or direct

Ex: The warning was issued in no uncertain terms, alerting residents to evacuate due to the approaching hurricane.
Close
Sign in
a one-way ticket

a situation in which any decision made cannot be undone

Ex: She viewed her decision to accept the job offer in another country as a one-way ticket to an exciting new adventure and cultural experience.
Close
Sign in
to [be] (only|just|) a matter of time

to certainly happen at some point in the future

Ex: The team's hard work and innovation have positioned them for success; it's a matter of time before they secure a major contract.
Close
Sign in
{sb} can take {sth} to the bank

used to imply that something is reliable, certain, and can be trusted completely

Ex: When the seasoned journalist reports a story, you can take it to the bank that the facts are well-researched and accurate.
Close
Sign in
LanGeek
Download LanGeek app