十拿九稳

十拿九穩

shínájiǔwěn

idiom #32,993

Meanings

1 a sure thing
2 in the bag
3 practically certain of success

Characters

secure / steady

Examples

这场比赛我们十拿九稳会赢。

Zhè chǎng bǐsài wǒmen shínájiǔwěn huì yíng.

We're practically guaranteed to win this match.

他考上大学是十拿九稳的事。

Tā kǎoshàng dàxué shì shínájiǔwěn de shì.

His getting into university is a sure thing.

Tips

history

From the Ming dynasty play 《燕子笺·购幸》 by 阮大铖: '此是十拿九稳，必中的计较' — 'this plan is nine-out-of-ten certain to hit the mark.' Literally 'grab ten, nine are secure.'

Stroke Order

十 shí

拿 ná

九 jiǔ

稳 wěn