Cool MateDollars to doughnuts vs Mark my words
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Dollars to doughnuts
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Mark my words
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
| Dollars to doughnuts | Mark my words | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈdɒl.əz tə dəʊ.nəts//🇺🇸 //ˈdɑː.lərz tə doʊ.nəts// | 🇬🇧 //mɑːk maɪ wɜːdz//🇺🇸 //mɑrk maɪ wɜrdz// |
| Meaning | A way to say you're sure about something. | Remember what I say, it will be important. |
| Example | I'll wager dollars to doughnuts that it will rain tomorrow. | Mark my words, he will regret this decision. |
| Register | Informal | Informal |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| Collocations | bet dollars to doughnuts, dollars to doughnuts odds, I’ll take that bet, dollars to doughnuts | mark my words, remember my words, mark these words, mark those words |
| Common mistakes | Using it in formal situations where idioms are unsuitable., Confusing it with similar phrases like 'penny for your thoughts'. | Misplaced as a formal statement., Using it without context or meaning., Not using it with a prediction or warning. |
| Usage notes | Used in informal contexts, often to express certainty or confidence in a prediction. Avoid in formal writing or speeches. | Use when you want to emphasize the seriousness of what you are saying. It's used in spoken language, often with a predictive tone. |
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Frequently asked questions: Dollars to doughnuts vs Mark my words
What's the difference between Dollars to doughnuts and Mark my words?
Dollars to doughnuts: A way to say you're sure about something. Mark my words: Remember what I say, it will be important.
Can you show an example of each?
Dollars to doughnuts: I'll wager dollars to doughnuts that it will rain tomorrow. Mark my words: Mark my words, he will regret this decision.
Can I use Dollars to doughnuts and Mark my words interchangeably?
Not always. Dollars to doughnuts and Mark my words are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.