slam dunk

¹

noun

1. Basketball. a particularly forceful, often dramatic dunk shot.
2. Slang. something regarded as certain to occur or be accomplished, typically something desirable that requires little further effort:

   The election is starting to look like a slam dunk for our side.

slam-dunk

²

[ slam-duhngk ]

verb (used with object)

1. Basketball. to dunk (the ball) with great force.

slam dunk

noun

1. basketball a scoring shot in which a player jumps up and forces the ball down through the basket
2. informal.
   a task so easy that success in it is deemed a certainty

verb

1. basketball to jump up and force (a ball) through a basket

Other Words From

• slam dunker noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of slam dunk¹

First recorded in 1975–80

Idioms and Phrases

A forceful, dramatic move, as in That indictment was a slam dunk if ever there was one . This expression is also often put as a verb, slam-dunk , meaning “make a forceful move against someone,” as in This is a great chance for us to slam-dunk the opposition . The idiom comes from basketball, where it refers to a dramatic shot in which the ball is thrust into the basket from above the rim. It was transferred to other activities from about 1980 on.

Example Sentences

“It’s not a slam dunk, but I expect a record or two to be broken today,” Kittell said.

From Los Angeles Times

But because it’s legally untested and separate state environmental laws still apply, projects are not a slam dunk.

From Los Angeles Times

But some legal experts warn that the refiled indictment isn't a slam dunk.

From Salon

It also aims to be a slam dunk venue for music fans.

From Los Angeles Times

After initially cheering the stimulus as a political and economic slam dunk, Mr. Biden now finds himself forced to defend it in speeches to key voting blocs, like Black Americans.

From New York Times