lead-pipe cinch
Absolute guaranteed outcome
A lead-pipe cinch is something absolutely certain or guaranteed to succeed.
The phrase combines two images of security—a cinch (a tight saddle strap) and a lead pipe (heavy, solid, unbreakable).
Originally American slang from the late 1800s: With her experience, she's a lead-pipe cinch for the promotion.
Now somewhat old-fashioned but still understood.
- surefireGuaranteed to succeed
- safe betLikely winning wager
- shoo-inInevitable victor
- absoluteTotal, without qualification
- lockMechanism requiring a key
guarantee · definite · assured · certainty · done deal · cakewalk · child's play · dead cert · positive · undeniable · open and shut · inevitability · foolproof · home run · foregone conclusion · no contest · slam dunk · sure thing
lead-pipe cinchlong shot
Unlikely to succeed
gamble · toss-up · crapshoot · wild card · uncertainty
lead-pipe cinchtall order
Difficult request to fulfill
uphill battle · hard slog · impossible task · lost cause · impossibility
lead, pipe, cinch, leads, leading, leaden, leader, leadership, pipes