As sure as death and taxes 💀💰

Meaning

Something that is absolutely certain to happen.

Origin

This common phrase owes its existence to Benjamin Franklin. In a famous 1789 letter to Jean-Baptiste Le Roy, Franklin wrote, "In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." He was referring to the inevitability of both events, a concept that has resonated through centuries. While the idea of death as a certainty was ancient, Franklin's witty and direct formulation cemented the specific phrasing, turning a philosophical observation into a universally recognized idiom for absolute surety. It's a stark reminder that some things, like the end of life and the demands of the state, are unavoidable.

💀🥀 death 🕰️🎩 19th century 📅🕰️ 20th 21st century 🦉🤔 wisdom

As sure as death and taxes represented with emoji💀💰

This playful pairing of symbols, 💀💰, functions as a delightful shorthand for the age-old adage, 'as sure as death and taxes.' It invites us to consider how even the most inevitable aspects of life can be distilled into charming, bite-sized icons, reminding us of the enduring certainty of both doom and dues. Not just the words, but the very essence of irrefutable certainty, is captured here with a wink and a nod.

Examples

  • If you leave your cookies out, the ants will find them, as sure as death and taxes.
  • He's going to complain about the long queue; that's as sure as death and taxes.
  • The cat will knock something off the shelf at 3 AM, as sure as death and taxes.
  • My toddler will demand a snack five minutes after finishing his meal, as sure as death and taxes.

Frequently asked questions

Is 'as sure as death and taxes' a proverb or an idiom?

The phrase 'as sure as death and taxes' is primarily considered an idiom. While it expresses a proverbial truth about certainty, its fixed phrasing and figurative use align it more closely with the definition of an idiom.

What is the opposite of 'as sure as death and taxes'?

The opposite of 'as sure as death and taxes' would be something completely uncertain or unlikely to happen. Phrases like 'as likely as not' or 'a snowball's chance in hell' convey the idea of unpredictability or improbability.

Could 'as sure as death and taxes' be used sarcastically?

Yes, 'as sure as death and taxes' can be used sarcastically, especially when referring to something that is actually very unlikely to occur. The humor comes from the ironic application of an idiom about certainty to a situation of extreme uncertainty.

Did Benjamin Franklin invent the idea of death and taxes being certain?

No, Benjamin Franklin did not invent the idea, but he popularized the specific phrasing of 'as sure as death and taxes.' While ancient philosophers recognized the inevitability of death, Franklin's concise statement in 1789 cemented the idiom for modern usage.

Similar to "as sure as death and taxes"

It's a given
Both point to an unavoidable certainty, but 'It's a given' feels more casual and less weighty than the grim inevitability of death and taxes
As inevitable as the tide
Both capture a sense of absolute certainty, but 'as inevitable as the tide' evokes a grand, natural, and cyclical force, rather than the man-made or biological absolutes of death and taxes
You can bet your bottom dollar
Both signify absolute certainty, but 'You can bet your bottom dollar' introduces a tone of financial confidence and wager, imbuing the certainty with a sense of high stakes and risk

Opposite of "as sure as death and taxes"

It's up in the air
This argues that the outcome is completely uncertain and indeterminate, directly challenging the idea of a sure thing with an image of chaotic, unpredictable possibility
When pigs fly
This phrase posits that the event will never happen, functioning as a far more dismissive and colorful counterpoint to the inevitability that 'death and taxes' represent

Related to "as sure as death and taxes"

The writing is on the wall
This phrase shares the sense of impending, unavoidable doom or consequence, echoing the gravitas of 'death and taxes' but focusing on a specific, foretold outcome rather than universal certainties
What goes around, comes around
This shares the concept of inescapable consequence, but shifts the focus from inevitable occurrences like death and taxes to the karmic certainty of one's own actions returning to them
It's set in stone
Both speak to immutability, but 'set in stone' emphasizes something that has been decided and cannot be altered, like a decree or a historical fact, rather than the natural or unavoidable processes of existence
Come hell or high water
This phrase shares the resolve implied by facing inevitable challenges, but it emphasizes unwavering commitment and determination *despite* certainties, rather than the certainties themselves