Context
Predicting a result before a match.
Es seguro como la muerte y los impuestos.
As certain as death and taxes — the Spanish equivalent idiom. Dramatic but widely known.
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sayingsSaying 24 of 25
dead cert
Absolute certainty — there's no doubt, this is guaranteed, bank on it.
Literal translation trap
'Cierto muerto' means 'dead truth' which is nonsense. Spanish certainty uses different vocabulary.
Say it like this
Context
Knowing you'll get the job before the interview.
Eso está cantado.
'It's sung' — already decided, a foregone conclusion. One of the most useful Spanish idioms.
Context
Knowing a horse will win before the race.
Es un pleno seguro.
A sure thing — pleno can mean a full win, a certainty. Betting language.
Context
Predicting a colleague will be chosen for the promotion.
Eso está hecho.
It's done — already decided, inevitable. Quiet confidence in the outcome.
Context
Someone is going to get in trouble — it's only a matter of when.
Le va a caer una buena, seguro.
He's going to get a good one, for sure — a punishment is certainly coming.