sure as death and taxes
/ʃʊɹ æz dɛθ ænd tæksəz/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.54 in modern English
31
Scrabble Score
19
Letters
3
Syllables
10
Unique Chars
Meaning
adv
Most certainly.
Example Sentences
- "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."
- "Things as certain as Death and Taxes, can be more firmly believ'd: The Devil not have a Cloven-Foot!"
- "This bad practice may be followed for years before the runaway follows, but that it will eventually is "as sure as death and taxes.""
- ""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."
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.
Origin
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ʃʊɹ æz dɛθ ænd tæksəz/