View synonyms for

slam dunk

noun

Basketball.��a particularly forceful, often dramatic dunk shot.
Slang.��something regarded as certain to occur or be accomplished, typically something desirable that requires little further effort.
The election is starting to look like a slam dunk for our side.

slam-dunk

[slam-duhngk]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

Basketball.��to dunk (the ball) with great force.

slam dunk

noun

basketball a scoring shot in which a player jumps up and forces the ball down through the basket
informal��a task so easy that success in it is deemed a certainty

verb

basketball to jump up and force (a ball) through a basket

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Other Word Forms

slam dunker noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of slam dunk¹

First recorded in 1975–80

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Idioms and Phrases

A forceful, dramatic move, as in That indictment was a slam dunk if ever there was one. This expression is also often put as a verb, slam-dunk, meaning “make a forceful move against someone,” as in This is a great chance for us to slam-dunk the opposition. The idiom comes from basketball, where it refers to a dramatic shot in which the ball is thrust into the basket from above the rim. It was transferred to other activities from about 1980 on.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“It wasn’t a slam dunk,” he said, referring to President Trump’s victory.

From

They gave up a first rounder next year to draft James Pearce Jr, by no means a slam dunk, and a hefty price to pay for a bit of a swing.

From

But this is far from a slam dunk.

From

Many feel the feud originated when Howard took over O’Neal’s Superman moniker early in his career, wearing a cape and the superhero’s logo while competing in — and winning — the NBA’s slam dunk contest in 2008.

From

There were the usual slam dunk, three-point shooting and other skills contests, adding to the carnival show.

From

slam dance slammer

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