passer le Rubicon
Meaning: To make a decisive, irrevocable commitment or choice with serious consequences.
Language: French
Literally: to pass the Rubicon
Category: Daily Life
Origin: Historical: Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon River in 49 BC, defying Rome's law against bringing an armed army into Italy, thereby triggering civil war. The act became the ultimate symbol of passing a point of no return.
More idioms — Daily Life
- être à ramasser à la petite cuiller — To be completely exhausted, utterly without strength.
- être du propre — Used ironically to criticize something as morally or physically filthy.
- mettre à terre — To defeat or knock someone down.
- prendre des gants — To handle a delicate matter with great tact and care to avoid offending someone.
- remettre en train — To restart or reactivate something that has stopped or slowed down.
- vendre chèrement sa peau — To defend oneself fiercely and make a determined stand against those trying to kill you.
More French idioms
- être de mauvais poil — To be in a bad mood or irritable disposition.
- casser le nez à coups d’encensoir — To offer someone clumsy, exaggerated, and insincere flattery to their face.
- se casser la figure — To fall to the ground; to have an accident or suffer a collapse.
- péter une baloune — To cause deep disappointment; to shatter someone's illusions or hopes.
- remuer ciel et terre — To exert all possible effort and use every available means to achieve a goal.
- joindre le geste à la parole — To back up what you say with action; to keep your promises.
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