the die is cast
Meaning: A decision has been made and cannot be undone.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “Once the invitations went out, the die was cast: the wedding was in June.”
Category: The Absurd
Origin: From Julius Caesar crossing the Rubicon in 49 BC. Suetonius gives his words as alea iacta est (the die has been thrown), while Plutarch says he quoted a Greek play. A "die" is a single dice. See also "cross the Rubicon."
Equivalents in other languages
- Dutch: de teerling is geworpen — literally: the die is thrown
- French: Alea jacta est — literally: The die is cast
More idioms — The Absurd
- sell one's soul to the devil — To give up one's principles in exchange for money, power or success.
- a Tower of Babel — A noisy scene where many people speak different languages, or a confusion of voices.
- like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic — Doing something pointless while a disaster happens.
- come down on someone like a ton of bricks — To criticize or punish someone very severely.
- it doesn't take a rocket scientist — Something is easy to understand; no special intelligence is needed.
- a bottomless pit — Something that uses up endless money or effort; also a person who is always hungry.
More English idioms
- the be-all and end-all — The most important thing, or the only thing that matters.
- eat humble pie — To admit one was wrong and apologize humbly.
- year in, year out — Continually, every year without change.
- sign one's own death warrant — To do something that will cause one's own ruin.
- child's play — Something very easy to do.
- at death's door — Very close to dying, or feeling extremely ill.
From our compliments & insults
- Tu as du chien — You have a certain irresistible magnetism — a je-ne-sais-quoi that draws people in.
- Tu as la tête sur les épaules — You're grounded, sensible, and dependable — not easily swept off course.
- Tu as le vent en poupe — Everything is going your way — you're riding a wave of momentum and success.