a pound to a penny
A British idiomatic expression meaning something is highly likely or virtually certain — equivalent to 'I'd bet anything.' The phrase draws on the imagery of offering heavily lopsided betting odds: if you stake a pound against someone else's penny, you're supremely confident in your position.
Definitions
A British idiomatic expression meaning something is highly likely or virtually certain — equivalent to 'I'd bet anything.' The phrase draws on the imagery of offering heavily lopsided betting odds: if you stake a pound against someone else's penny, you're supremely confident in your position. Used to assert strong certainty, typically in a conversational or informal register. More common in older British speech; younger speakers might use 'I'd bet my life on it' or similar.
A pound to a penny, he'll turn up late and blame the traffic.
“It's wear and tear, and I'll bet a pound to a penny that lots of you have suffered from the same condition.”
Comments
A British idiom expressing high confidence that something is true or likely to happen, essentially saying you would bet a pound against just a penny, meaning the odds are overwhelmingly in favor. Used to emphasize certainty about a prediction or claim. More colorful than simply saying almost certainly but functionally equivalent. The asymmetric financial metaphor makes the confidence tangible and specific.
It's a pound to a penny she already knows about the surprise party — she knows everything.
A pound to a penny means: A British idiom expressing high confidence that something is true or likely to happen, essentially saying you would bet a pound against just a penny, meaning the odds are overwhelmingly in favor.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.
a pound to a penny means: A British idiom expressing high confidence that something is true or likely to happen, essentially saying you would bet a pound against just a penny, meaning the odds are. Register: neutral, standard English. Common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; always check the context before producing it yourself.
Comments
(UK, idiomatic) Very likely; almost certainly.
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