ðə daɪ ɪz kæst
General
formal
advanced
- Literally:
- The dice have been thrown
What does "the die is cast" mean?
An irrevocable decision has been made and there is no turning back
Examples
- Once she submitted her resignation, the die was cast.
- The die is cast; we've signed the contract and must see the project through.
- When the troops crossed the border, the die was cast for war.
Origin
Attributed to Julius Caesar in 49 BC when he crossed the Rubicon River. Latin: 'alea iacta est.'
How to use it
Used to mark a decisive, irreversible moment. Very literary in tone.
Similar expressions
point of no return
crossed the Rubicon
burned one's bridges
Opposites
still up in the air
keeping options open
Related idioms
- actions speak louder than words
What people do is more important than what they say
- better safe than sorry
It's better to be careful and prevent problems than to take risks
- so far so good
Things have gone well up to now
- easier said than done
Something is more difficult to do than to talk about
- make a long story short
To summarize or get to the point
- to make matters worse
In addition to existing problems
Use it in a practice answer
Try "the die is cast" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.