Welcome to the chapter on affirmations and certainties, featuring the phrase “You can be absolutely sure.” An Americanism of the mid-nineteenth century, it has remained steadfast in our language, first appearing in print in 1856.
🎯 You can be absolutely sure
Meaning: A strong assertion indicating that something is true or certain. First appearance: 1856 Print reference: The Toronto Globe and Mail, 1968: “You’d better believe it . . . We’ve got ’em.”
🧩 Related and Similar Terms
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Take it from me
- Definition: Trust me, I’m sure about this.
- Usage: “This restaurant has the best pasta—you can take it from me!”
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Rest assured
- Definition: Be confident that everything will be as promised.
- Usage: “You can rest assured that your package will arrive on time.”
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No two ways about it
- Definition: There’s no doubt about something.
- Usage: “It’s the best vacation spot in the country—no two ways about it.”
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Beyond a shadow of a doubt
- Definition: Absolutely certain.
- Usage: “She’s innocent beyond a shadow of a doubt.”
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Without a hitch
- Definition: Perfectly without any issues.
- Usage: “The entire event went off without a hitch.”
🤣 Humor-Filled Quotes
- Comedy Central: “You can be absolutely sure that when someone says, ‘Trust me,’ they are about to tell you a lie.”
- Oscar Wilde: “The truth is rarely pure and never simple. But in this case, you can be absolutely sure.”
📚 Literature, Songs, Poetry, and Movies
- Book: The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien—a novel where soldiers often assert their truths to one another.
- Song: “Faith” by George Michael—perfect for notes of affirmation.
- Poetry: “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost—“But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep.”
- Movie: Good Will Hunting—packed with characters making assured claims profound and poignant.
🤔 Inspirational Thought-Provoking Farewell
Remember, languages are living organisms, growing and evolving with each generation’s touch. The phrases we use today originated in a different era but continue to affirm our certainty and beliefs profoundly and playfully. As you flip through these affirmations, you can be absolutely sure that language will always find a way to express our truths.
Quizzes
We hope you enjoyed this linguistic journey and the affirmations that affirm your faith in the power of words! Stay assured, stay curious, and keep loving language.
