crosses the Rubicon
Passes 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 war against Rome.
Once across, there was no turning back.
When she submitted her resignation, she crossed the Rubicon.
- choiceAct of selecting
- Julius CaesarRoman dictator and general
- ancient RomeEarly Italian empire city
- irrevocableCannot be undone
- boldnessFearless readiness to act
threshold · finality · Pompey · commitment · audacity · Civil War · watershed moment · leap of faith · boundary · gamble · turning point · decisive action · bold move · point of no return · Roman Republic · consequence · Senate · metaphorical
crosses the Rubiconhedges one's bets
Protects against total loss
backs down · turns back · hesitates · wavers · vacillates
crosses the Rubiconchickens out
Abandons plan from fear
balks · flinches · shrinks back · gets cold feet · punts
cross, crosses, crossed, crossing, crosser, crossings, crucify, crucifixion, crucial