the die is cast
/ðə ˌdaɪ ɪz ˈkɑːst/NEUTRAL · C2
Meaning
a decision has been made and now cannot be undone
Examples
- 1Once we'd signed the papers and paid the deposit, the die was cast.
- 2I've handed in my notice, so the die is cast.
- 3The invitations have gone out and the venue is paid for, so the die is cast.
- 4When Maria posted the letter, she knew the die was cast and there was no going back.
- 5Tom has accepted the job in Canada; the die is cast, and he leaves in May.
Grammar
A fixed clause; only is changes, to was in the past. die here is an old singular of dice.
Similar in meaning
More idioms about decisions
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →take the plungeto finally decide to do something important or riskymake up your mindto decide what to do or which thing to choosesleep on itto wait until the next day before deciding somethingsit on the fenceto avoid choosing between two sides or optionsa no-brainera decision or choice that is very easyin two mindsunable to decide what to do
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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