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taxes

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(as) certain as death and taxes

Certain to happen; inevitable and unavoidable. A variation of the proverbial phrase, "Nothing is certain but death and taxes." They just aren't right for each other; they're certain as death and taxes to break up eventually. The two brothers will be forever at each other's throats, as certain as death and taxes.

See also: and, certain, death, taxes

(as) sure as death and taxes

Certain to happen; inevitable and unavoidable. A variation of the proverbial phrase, "Nothing is certain but death and taxes." They just aren't right for each other; they're sure as death and taxes to break up eventually. The two brothers will be forever at each other's throats, as sure as death and taxes.

See also: and, death, sure, taxes

Nothing is certain but death and taxes.

Prov. Everything in life is unpredictable, except that you can be sure you will die and you will have to pay taxes. (You can also refer to death and taxes as the only certain things in life.) Son: I can't believe how much tax money is being withheld from my paycheck! Father: Welcome to adult life, where nothing is certain but death and taxes.

See also: and, but, certain, death, nothing, taxes

death and taxes, certain as

Also, sure as death and taxes. Bound to occur, inevitable, as in His business is going to fail, certain as death and taxes. This phrase was invented by Benjamin Franklin in a letter (1789) and has been repeated ever since, the government's recurring need for revenue probably assuring its continued popularity.

See also: and, certain, death

death and taxes

Symbols of inevitability. Benjamin Franklin observed that “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” English novelist Daniel Defoe said much the same thing a century earlier.

See also: and, death, taxes