cross the Rubicon

/krɔs ðə ˈrubɪkɑn/
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To take a step that cannot be undone and changes what follows.

Examples

  • By releasing the files, the minister crossed the Rubicon.
  • Has the company crossed the Rubicon by entering this market?
  • She knew that reporting the fraud would cross the Rubicon.
  • Once we sign, we will have crossed the Rubicon.
  • The party crossed the Rubicon when it voted to leave the coalition.

Similar words

pass the point of no return
take an irrevocable step
commit beyond recall

Meanings

Irreversible commitment

decisions
formal
To make a decisive move after which returning to the old situation is no longer possible.

Examples

  • By releasing the files, the minister crossed the Rubicon.
  • Once we sign, we will have crossed the Rubicon.
  • Has the company crossed the Rubicon by entering this market?
  • She knew that reporting the fraud would cross the Rubicon.
  • The party crossed the Rubicon when it voted to leave the coalition.

Similar words

Etymology

The Rubicon was the river Julius Caesar crossed with his troops in 49 BCE, a move that opened civil war in Rome.

FAQ

What does cross the Rubicon mean?

To cross the Rubicon is to take a decisive step that cannot realistically be reversed.

When is cross the Rubicon used?

It fits decisions that change future options, such as resigning, disclosing evidence, or entering a conflict.

How does cross the Rubicon differ from point of no return?

A point of no return is the threshold. To cross the Rubicon is to pass it by acting.

How is cross the Rubicon used in a sentence?

The minister crossed the Rubicon when she released the files.

Is cross the Rubicon formal?

It is a formal, historical allusion common in commentary and analysis.

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