dead cert en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- (Southern-England) audio
Etymology
Clipped compound of dead certainty.
Meanings
-
(informal) A practically guaranteed outcome.
“Jockeys are bad tipsters. But that one was a cert, a dead cert.” A dead cert. The casual, everyday racing expression jabbed in my mind like a needle.
1962, Dick Francis, chapter 4, in Dead Cert, published 2004, page 46:It's a dead cert that United will beat City in the cup.
"Tees Valley is our first target. It's not a dead cert yet, but we are very hopeful.
2020 May 20, Paul Clifton, “A hydrogen solution to decarbonisation?”, in Rail, page 54:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| dead certs | Number=Plur | lexicographic |