safe bet
Low-risk wager
A safe bet is something very likely to happen or succeed, carrying little risk of being wrong.
The phrase comes from gambling but applies broadly to any confident prediction: It's a safe bet she'll be late—she always is.
Also used for reliable choices: Plain black shoes are a safe bet for the interview.
Formal promise of fulfillment
- sure thingGuaranteed outcome or agreement
- lockMechanism requiring a key
- cinchGuaranteed easy thing
- shoo-inInevitable victor
foregone conclusion · inevitable · definite · undeniable · absolute · conclusive · ironclad · no-brainer
Worthy of trust
- trustworthyWorthy of confidence
- provenEstablished as fact
- consistentNot varying or contradicting
- solidFirm matter state
steady · bankable · foolproof · surefire · unfailing · guaranteed · infallible · sound
Cautious about altering customs
- prudentExercising sound judgment
- risk-aversePreferring safety over uncertainty
- hedgingNoncommittal maneuvering
- cautiousCareful to avoid risk
guarded · defensive · measured · calculated · erring on the side of caution · belt and suspenders · fallback · insurance
Regarded as likely
- foreseeableAble to be anticipated
- anticipatedExpected in advance
- typicalRepresentative of a kind
- conventionalFollowing accepted practices
standard · routine · go-to · default · perennial · front-runner · favorite
guarantee
Formal promise of fulfillment
- sure thingGuaranteed outcome or agreement
- lockMechanism requiring a key
- cinchGuaranteed easy thing
shoo-in · foregone conclusion · inevitable · definite · undeniable · absolute · conclusive · ironclad · no-brainer · slam dunk
dependable
Worthy of trust
- trustworthyWorthy of confidence
- provenEstablished as fact
- consistentNot varying or contradicting
solid · steady · bankable · foolproof · surefire · unfailing · guaranteed · infallible · sound · stable
conservative
Cautious about altering customs
- prudentExercising sound judgment
- risk-aversePreferring safety over uncertainty
- hedgingNoncommittal maneuvering
cautious · guarded · defensive · measured · calculated · erring on the side of caution · belt and suspenders · fallback · insurance
expected
Regarded as likely
- foreseeableAble to be anticipated
- anticipatedExpected in advance
- typicalRepresentative of a kind
conventional · standard · routine · go-to · default · perennial · front-runner · favorite
- certaintycertain, sure, uncertain, unsure, definite
- risk phrasestake a chance, take a gamble, risk it all, go for broke, roll the dice
- sports idiomsdrop the ball, throw in the towel, slam dunk, out of left field, level playing field
- reliabilityreliable, dependable, trustworthy, consistent, faithful
- ideal solutionsbest answer, perfect fit, right answer, silver bullet, magic bullet
- adviceadvice, advise, tips, counsel, guidance
safe betlong shot
Unlikely to succeed
wild guess · outside chance · gamble · coin flip · toss-up
safe betsucker bet
Wager with terrible odds
bad bet · risky business · fool's errand · leap of faith · roll of the dice
safe, better, safety, unsafe, safeguard, safely, betting, bets, safer