certain

(as) certain as death and taxes

Certain to happen; inevitable and unavoidable. A variation of the proverbial phrase, "Nothing is certain but death and taxes." They just aren't right for each other; they're certain as death and taxes to break up eventually. The two brothers will be forever at each other's throats, as certain as death and taxes.

Hell hath no fury like a (certain type of person) scorned

No one will have a greater wrath or vengeance than (this type of person) when he or she has been wronged. A hyperbolic and often humorous play on the phrase "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned," in which any person, demographic, or profession may be substituted for "woman." The university might think nothing of hiking up the cost of tuition, but we'll show them that Hell hath no fury like a broke college student scorned! The governor, after veering away from his party's core ideologies, is now discovering that Hell hath no fury like politicians scorned.

See also: fury, hath, hell, like, of, scorn, type

to a certain degree

Somewhat; partly; in a limited way or to a limited extent. Your essay would be improved to a certain degree by tidying up your paragraphs, but your topic on the whole has some fundamental problems. Our administration is willing to negotiate to a certain degree, but we aren't ready to make any significant changes to the legislation.

to a certain extent

Somewhat; partly; in a limited way or to a limited degree. Your essay would be improved to a certain extent by tidying up your paragraphs, but your topic on the whole has some fundamental problems. Our administration is willing to negotiate to a certain extent, but we aren't ready to make any significant changes to the legislation.

certain party

someone you know but whom I do not wish to name. I spoke to a certain party about the matter you mentioned. If a certain party finds out about you-know-what, what on earth will you do?

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.

come in a certain position

to finish in a certain position or rank. Fred came in fourth in the race. He was afraid he would come in last.

dead certain

very sure. (Dead means absolutely.) I'm dead certain that horse will win. I bet two hundred on it myself. I didn't believe the rumor at first, but Bill's dead certain that it's true.

make certain of something

to check something in order to be sure. Please make certain of what you want to do. Would you please make certain of the number of things you want to order?

Nothing is certain but death and taxes.

Prov. Everything in life is unpredictable, except that you can be sure you will die and you will have to pay taxes. (You can also refer to death and taxes as the only certain things in life.) Son: I can't believe how much tax money is being withheld from my paycheck! Father: Welcome to adult life, where nothing is certain but death and taxes.

See also: and, but, certain, death, nothing, taxes

Nothing is certain but the unforeseen.

Prov. You cannot foresee what will happen. Jill: Now that we've got a new boss, this is certain to be a nicer place to work. Jane: Nothing is certain but the unforeseen.

sell something for a certain price

to market something at a certain price. I think I can sell this for twice what I paid for it. This is selling for twice the price at the shop down the street.

under certain circumstances

and under certain conditions

Fig. depending on or influenced by something; because of something. Under certain conditions, you can see across the lake to the other side. Under certain circumstances, what you propose to do is all right.

of a certain age

who are not young Adults of a certain age might want to spend a couple of hundred dollars more for a larger monitor that will be much easier on their eyes.

Usage notes: used to avoid saying middle aged or old

for certain

without any doubt for sure The only thing Jack could say for certain about Jill was that she was a complete mystery to him.

Related vocabulary: you bet

under certain circumstances

because of particular conditions Your insurance will pay for that surgery, but only under certain circumstances, for example if it's an emergency.

somebody of a certain age

(humorous)

used to avoid saying that a person, usually a woman, is no longer young but is not yet old It's a clothes boutique which caters for women of a certain age.

death and taxes, certain as

Also, sure as death and taxes. Bound to occur, inevitable, as in His business is going to fail, certain as death and taxes. This phrase was invented by Benjamin Franklin in a letter (1789) and has been repeated ever since, the government's recurring need for revenue probably assuring its continued popularity.

for certain

Also, for sure. Without doubt. For example, I can't tell for certain if this is the right color, or I know for sure that she has a new car. The first term dates from the early 1300s. The variant, dating from the late 1500s, is also used colloquially to express agreement or assert the truth of a statement, as in Mary is really bossy.-That's for sure, or Are you coming to the party?-For sure I am.

to some degree

Also, to a certain degree; to some or a certain extent ; to a degree or an extent . Somewhat, in a way, as in To some degree we'll have to compromise, or To an extent it's a matter of adjusting to the colder climate. The use of degree in these terms, all used in the same way, dates from the first half of the 1700s, and extent from the mid-1800s.

for certain

Without doubt; definitely.

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Katja	KAHT-yah (German, Dutch)	German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Dutch, Slovene
Steinarr	-	Ancient Scandinavian
Burkhard	BOORK-hahrt (German)	German, Ancient Germanic
Kavitha	-	Indian, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada
Amelia	[ə'mi:ljə]
Svetoslav	-	Bulgarian, Medieval Slavic