English Explanatory Dictionary

cross the Rubicon

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To make an irreversible decision or to take an action with consequences.

Pronunciation

en-au-cross the Rubicon.ogg

Word forms

cross the Rubicon crosses the Rubicon crossing the Rubicon crossed the Rubicon

Etymology

Refers to Julius Caesar's crossing of the Rubicon to wage civil war with Rome, on January 10, 49 BCE, in violation of law. Suetonius' use of the phrase the die is cast in describing this act popularized the use of that phrase, which was first attributed to the Greek dramatist Menander.

Related words

burn one's boats burn one's bridges cross the line point of no return the die is cast unmask one's batteries

Derived words

rubicon
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