death and taxes
Something which is totally certain.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“In this world, only death and taxes are certain.”
“You can plan for every outcome, but remember that death and taxes are the only true guarantees in life.”
“While market trends and political climates remain volatile, the inevitability of death and taxes serves as the only constant in an otherwise unpredictable world.”
By extension with sure as death and taxes.
- 01
article of death
The moment of death.
- 02
catch one's death
To contract a serious illness, especially a nasty cold or other respiratory ailment and especially as a result of exposure to wet or chilly weather.
- 03
cheese tax
A portion of cheese given to a domestic animal such as a dog or cat, usually when the cheese is being brought out or prepared for human consumption.
- 04
death by a thousand paper cuts
An ultimate negative outcome, such as the failure of a project, brought about by an excessive number of bureaucratic hurdles.
- 05
death by PowerPoint
The boredom or disengagement that an audience experiences from poorly designed or overly verbose presentations using any type of presentation software.
- 06
die a thousand deaths
To suffer repeatedly (often mentally rather than physically); to suffer extreme embarrassment or anxiety.
- 07
kiss of death
Something that may seem good and favorable but that actually brings ruin to hopes, plans, etc.
- 08
living death
A condition of suffering, solitude, or impairment so extreme as to deprive one's existence of all happiness and meaning.
Last updated August 10, 2026