could've sworn
Was absolutely sure
Could've sworn expresses strong but mistaken certainty about a memory or belief: I could've sworn I left my keys on the counter.
The phrase acknowledges that what seemed absolutely true has turned out to be wrong, often with mild bewilderment.
It softens the embarrassment of being incorrect by emphasizing how confident the speaker was.
Certainly, very probably
- dead certainUtterly confident in belief
- hundred percentTotal amount, nothing less
- swear byBelieve in wholeheartedly
Surprised request for repetition
- no wayEmphatic denial
- mind blownOverwhelmed by amazement
- baffledUtterly unable to understand
- bewilderedThoroughly puzzled and confused
perplexed · confused · disoriented · thrown off · second-guessing · questioning · reality check · cognitive dissonance
Recall something inaccurately
- Mandela effectWidespread identical false recollections
- confabulationInvented memories believed true
- false recollectionUntrue remembered event
- déjà vuIllusory prior experience
misrecollection · memory distortion · source confusion · memory error · misattribution · hindsight bias · suggestibility
no doubt
Certainly, very probably
- dead certainUtterly confident in belief
- hundred percentTotal amount, nothing less
- swear byBelieve in wholeheartedly
wait what
Surprised request for repetition
- no wayEmphatic denial
- mind blownOverwhelmed by amazement
- baffledUtterly unable to understand
bewildered · perplexed · confused · disoriented · thrown off · second-guessing · questioning · reality check · cognitive dissonance · taken aback
misremember
Recall something inaccurately
- Mandela effectWidespread identical false recollections
- confabulationInvented memories believed true
- false recollectionUntrue remembered event
déjà vu · misrecollection · memory distortion · source confusion · memory error · misattribution · hindsight bias · suggestibility