slæm dʌŋk
Sports
informal
intermediate
- Literally:
- a basketball shot where a player forces the ball down through the hoop
What does "slam dunk" mean?
a sure thing, something certain to succeed
Examples
- The prosecution thought the case was a slam dunk, but the jury disagreed.
- This marketing campaign is a slam dunk — the numbers speak for themselves.
- Hiring her was a slam dunk; she had ten years of experience.
Origin
From basketball. Figurative use became popular in the 1980s.
How to use it
Used to describe something that seems guaranteed to succeed.
Similar expressions
sure thing
no-brainer
certainty
home run
Opposites
long shot
gamble
toss-up
Related idioms
- no pain no gain
Success requires hard work and sacrifice
- ball is in your court
It's your turn to take action or make a decision
- like riding a bicycle
A skill that, once learned, is never forgotten
- drop the ball
To fail to do something important; to make a mistake
- level playing field
A situation where everyone has an equal opportunity
- on the ball
Alert and competent
Use it in a practice answer
Try "slam dunk" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.