the die is cast



the die is cast

a decision is made that cannot be changed When the first shot was fired, the die was cast and a revolution began.
Etymology: based on the idea that after you cast (throw) a die (small square block with a number on each side) you cannot control its movement
See also: cast, die

the die is cast

something that you say when a decision has been made or something has happened which will cause a situation to develop in a particular way
Usage notes: A die is a small block of wood or plastic with different numbers of spots on each side, used in games, and 'cast' means to throw.
From the moment the first shot was fired, the die was cast and war became inevitable.
See also: cast, die

the die is cast

The decision has been made and is irrevocable.
See also: cast, die

the die is cast

No turning back; past the point of no return. In 49 BC, Julius Caesar led his troops across the Rubicon, a river in northern Italy, in violation of Roman law. As he acted on his decision, he was said to have reflected, Alea iacta est (also alea jacta est), Latin: for “the die has been cast.” He referred to the singular of dice, proving that life was a crap shoot even back then.
See also: cast, die

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Hunfrid-Ancient Germanic
HÈCtor-Catalan
Lieber-Yiddish
Mateja (2)-Serbian
Fredrikafred-REE-kah (Swedish), FRED-ree-kah (Finnish)Swedish, Finnish
Altdorfer['æltdɔ:fɔ]