English · Idiom Attested

sure as death and taxes

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

Totally certain.

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

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.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Topics: Life & death

Common questions

What does “sure as death and taxes” mean?

Totally certain.

Is “sure as death and taxes” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.

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