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

Reacting to the announcement, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham predicted that Bondi “will be confirmed quickly,” calling her selection a “grand slam, touchdown, hole in one, ace, hat trick, slam dunk, Olympic gold medal pick.”

From BBC

“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