sure thing

“The Latin inscription on the Pall Mall cigarette pack — “In Hoc Signo Vinces” — translated as “With this sign we shall conquer” — was a tentative means of homo identification — a sure thing when coupled with wearing a green shirt on a Thursday.”

The Big Nowhere

“Lakers guard Michael Cooper made a highlight-reel block of an attempted layup, and again my sure thing raced up court with another opportunity to tie.”

Simon & Schuster: One Season

“That's where you'll meet the clerk who billed a tierce of hams to the man who ordered a box; the shipper who mislaid Bill Smith's order for lard, and made Bill lose his Saturday's trade through the delay; the department head who felt a little peevish one morning and so wrote Hardin & Co., who buy in car-lots, that if they didn't like the smoke of the last car of Bacon Short Clears they could lump it, or words to that effect; and that's where you'll meet the salesman who played a sure thing on the New Orleans track and needs twenty to get to the next town, where his check is waiting.”

Old Gorgon Graham

“Quieting my Lakers roar with their Celtics championship apparel and notes on my desk about the recent past, people that were once in awe of my sure thing carved me up in a way that I never imagined.”

Simon & Schuster: One Season