дело в шляпе

• ДЕЛО В ШЛЯПЕ coll

[Invar; VPsubj with быть, usu. pres, also fut or subjunctive; often a clause in a compound (after Conj "и") or complex sent; usu. preceded by one or more clauses; fixed WO]

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⇒ the success of some undertaking, effort etc is assured, the desired outcome is or will be achieved:

- in the bag;

- it's a sure thing;

- it's a cinch;

- it's as good as done;

- it's all sewn up;

- that does it <the trick>;

- [in limited contexts] oneb got it made.

     ♦ "Прежде молодым людям приходилось учиться; не хотелось им прослыть за невежд, так они поневоле трудились. А теперь им стоит сказать: все на свете вздор! - и дело в шляпе" (Тургенев 2). "Before, young men had to study; they didn't want to be known for ignoramuses so they had to work, whether they liked it or not. And now all they have to do is to say 'Everything in the world is rubbish!'-and it's all in the bag for them" (2e). "Formerly young people were faced with having to study; they were averse to becoming known as ignoramuses; so, like it or not, they worked hard. But now all they have to do is to say 'Everything in the world is bosh!' - and that does it" (2d).

     ♦ "Поздравляю, старик! Только сейчас твою рожу по телевизору показали. Правда, в толпе и на сотую долю секунды, но для начала и то хлеб. Теперь твоё дело в шляпе" (Зиновьев 2). "Congratulations, old man! I have just seen your mug on television. It's true you were only one of a crowd, and you were only there for about a hundredth of a second, but it's something for a start. Now you've got it made" (2a).