fait accompli
Already settled matter
A fait accompli is something already done and therefore difficult or impossible to reverse.
The French phrase means "accomplished fact" and usually implies that others must simply accept the situation: By the time we found out about the merger, it was a fait accompli.
Often used when someone acts first and seeks approval later, presenting others with no real choice.
- done dealFinalized, irreversible agreement
- irrevocableCannot be undone
- finalityState of conclusive completion
- coupAbrupt seizure of power
- force someone's handCompel premature action
signed and sealed · effectuation · fact of life · conclusion · unilateral · execution · resolution · behind closed doors · point of no return · ship has sailed · power dynamics · precedent · inevitability · preemptive · actuality · acceptance · resignation · finished
- French Loanwordsa la carte, ballet, a la mode, au revoir, bon appetit
- endingsending, the end, finish, close, final
- coercionduress, coercing, compelling, threat, forcing
- diplomacy termsprotocol, treaty, accord, pact, agreement
- futilityfutile, futility, in vain, pointlessness, vain
- loanwordsloanword, loan words, borrowings, borrowed words, loan word
fait accompliproposal
Formal plan for consideration
proposition · plan · work in progress · open question · draft
fait accomplidemocratic process
Collective decision-making by citizens
negotiated settlement · consensus building · collective bargaining · open forum · stakeholder input
accomplished, accomplishment, accomplishing, accomplishments, accomplishes, unaccomplished, fait