crossed the Rubicon
Passed no return
To cross the Rubicon is to take an irreversible step, passing a point of no return.
The phrase comes from Julius Caesar's fateful decision in 49 BCE to lead his army across the Rubicon River into Italy, an act of treason that triggered civil war.
Once crossed, there was no going back: When she submitted her resignation, she crossed the Rubicon.
- finalityState of conclusive completion
- Julius CaesarRoman dictator and general
- ancient RomeEarly Italian empire city
- choiceAct of selecting
- leap of faithTrust without verification
Pompey · inevitability · civil war · take the plunge · seize the day · commitment · Roman Empire · triumvirate · permanence · point of no return · boldness · decisive action · turning point · watershed moment · transformation · bold move · Roman Republic · resolve
crossed the Rubiconkept one's options open
Preserved multiple possible paths
sat on the fence · hedged one's bets · played it safe · dithered · vacillated
crossed the Rubiconplayed it safe
Acted to minimize risk
chickened out · got cold feet · balked · hesitated · held back
cross, crossed, crossing, crosses, crosser, uncrossed, crisscross, Rubicon, rubric