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03-19-2003, 03:09 PM
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#1 of 28 
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dumb Brit question - what's a slam dunk?
I *think* I know the answer to this, but it's not in my dictionaries of idioms nor on a lot of the web pages I tried.
I know that a slam dunk is a spectacular basketball shot where the player jumps and drops/throws the ball down the hoop. However, from programmes (sorry 'programs') like Friends I also get the impression it means something else. My reading is that it means 'unambiguous'. However, am I wide of the mark?
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03-19-2003, 03:14 PM
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#2 of 28
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I think you're pretty close. A slam dunk is when a basketball player jumps up and throws (dunks) the ball through the hoop. A "slam dunk" outside of a basketball context is something which is a certainty, a guarantee, a no doubter. A dunk, or slam dunk, is the highest percentage shot in basketball. Hope that helps.
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03-19-2003, 03:16 PM
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#3 of 28
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You are exactly right in basketball terms.
Also, it is American slang for an easy task. For example, I might say that winning a game of checkers on the beginner level is a "slam dunk."
Matt
Now you get to explain cricket!
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03-19-2003, 03:17 PM
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#4 of 28
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Michael Reuben
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No, you're not wide. An appropriate synonym might be "a sure thing" -- the theory being that, if a player is in a position literally to drop the ball into the basket, there's no doubt that it will go in.
EDIT: I agree with Matt, though, that the term has acquired a connotation of a task that's easy (like a "no brainer"). Ironic when you consider the basketball move that inspired it.
M.
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03-19-2003, 03:22 PM
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#5 of 28
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Quote:
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No, you're not wide. An appropriate synonym might be "a sure thing" -- the theory being that, if a player is in a position literally to drop the ball into the basket, there's no doubt that it will go in.
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Yeah, slam dunk is slang for "a sure thing", but once in a while, players fail to drop the ball into the basket when dunking (bouncing it off the rim), and it's pretty hilarious when it happens.  |
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03-19-2003, 03:34 PM
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#6 of 28
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"Slam Dunk" is also used in Golf, and is where the ball gets in the cup straight from the air without hitting the ground first. Hard to do though!
MOOOOOO
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03-19-2003, 03:57 PM
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#7 of 28
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I've also heard it used similar to "Home Run" - as in a success. Like to say the meeting was a "Slam Dunk"- meaning it was very successful.
-Vince
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03-19-2003, 04:06 PM
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#8 of 28
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Ironic when you consider the basketball move that inspired it.
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Whaddya mean? Dunking a basketball is a piece of cake...provided you're, say, 6'3" or taller and can palm a basketball.
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03-19-2003, 04:56 PM
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#9 of 28
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Mark
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Quote:
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"Slam Dunk" is also used in Golf, and is where the ball gets in the cup straight from the air without hitting the ground first.
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It's funny how they use that basketball term because the same phenomenon in basketball would be a "Swoosh".
Wouldn't you also say a "Slam Dunk" can be compared to a task that was done extremely well? Not that it was 'easy', but more of the fact that you executed it so well.
A slam dunk is no different than a lay up or just shooting the ball into the basket (with the exception of a 3 pointer), but a Slam Dunk is a more furious way of accomplishing the same 2 points, so that's why I think they use it as an expression of someone who accomplishes something in an extreme way.
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03-19-2003, 05:29 PM
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#10 of 28
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Or "a done deal".
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