cross the Rubicon

Meaning

Verb

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

Origin

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