IdiomDaily Life
French
FrenchAlea jacta est
Meaning: The decision is irrevocable and there is no turning back.
Literally: The die is cast
Example: “J'ai envoyé ma lettre de démission : alea jacta est.” — I sent my resignation letter: the die is cast.
English equivalent: The die is cast
Equivalents in other languages
Dutch: de teerling is geworpen Literally: The die is thrown
English: the die is cast
Origin: Attributed to Caesar crossing the Rubicon in 49 BC, committing to civil war. Suetonius records it in Latin; Plutarch has him quoting Menander in Greek, so the famous form may be the less authentic one.
More French idioms
- L'argent n'a pas d'odeur Money is money regardless of how disreputably it was earned.
- Une Arlésienne A person or thing endlessly talked about but who never actually appears.
- Signer son arrêt de mort To take an action that guarantees your own downfall.
- Un homme de l'art A qualified professional, especially a physician.
- C'est du grand art That is masterfully done.
- L'enfance de l'art Utterly elementary; child's play.
Explore another collection: Untranslatable Words
Words that capture a feeling or idea English needs a whole sentence for.
- Épanouissement The full flourishing of a person — blooming into your most complete, radiant self. More t…
- Ressourcement The act of returning to one's roots or origins to find renewal — going back to a place, t…
- Dépaysement The disorienting yet often pleasant feeling of being far from home, immersed in the unfam…
Keep exploring