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Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

sure as death and taxes en · ADJ

Pronunciation

  • /ʃʊɹ æz dɛθ ænd tæksəz/ (US)
  • sho͝or ăz dĕth ănd tăksəz

Etymology

Primarily a reference to a 1789 quote by Benjamin Franklin: Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes. Benjamin Franklin First attested in 1726, but in common usage only as of the 19th century.

Meanings

  1. (not-comparable, qualifier:simile) Totally certain.
    • Time, with his stealing steps, hath clawed me in his clutch, as the old song says: And this cursed gout; but it is what we must all come to. Nothing so sure as death and taxes. 1824, Jonathan Swift, The novels of Swift, Bage and Cumberland, Hurst, Robinson, and Company, page 425:
    • Things as certain as Death and Taxes, can be more firmly believ'd: The Devil not have a Cloven-Foot! 1726, Daniel Defoe, chapter 6, in The History of the Devil, as well Ancient as Modern, second edition, The Modern History of the Devil, page 269:
    • This bad practice may be followed for years before the runaway follows, but that it will eventually is "as sure as death and taxes." 1907, F.B. Farmer, Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen's Magazine, volume 43, A Dangerous Air Brake Practice, page 59:

Forms

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sure as death or taxes alternative lexicographic

sure as death and taxes en · ADV

Pronunciation

  • /ʃʊɹ æz dɛθ ænd tæksəz/ (US)
  • sho͝or ăz dĕth ănd tăksəz

Etymology

Primarily a reference to a 1789 quote by Benjamin Franklin: Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes. Benjamin Franklin First attested in 1726, but in common usage only as of the 19th century.

Meanings

  1. (not-comparable, qualifier:simile) Most certainly.
    • "As sure as Death and Taxes", the old proverb says. But there's a difference. You may evade, dodge or lie out of your taxes, but Death will not be deceived or denied. 1908, The Insurance Age, volume 36, page 445:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
sure as death or taxes alternative lexicographic

Deriveds

death and taxes

Relateds

the house always wins

Synonyms

sure as eggs is eggs · certain as death or taxes · certain as death and taxes