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Line 1: − + + + + + − The phrase "Crossing the Rubicon" is a [[metaphor]] for deliberately proceeding past a point of no return. It originates with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Caesar Julius Caesar]'s invasion of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Rome Ancient Rome] when, on January 10, 49 BC, he led his army across the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubicon Rubicon River] in violation of [[law]], hence making conflict inevitable. Therefore the term "the Rubicon" is used as a synonym to the "point of no return". Line 15:
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[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:CaesarRubicon.jpg|right|frame]]
The phrase "Crossing the Rubicon" is a [[metaphor]] for deliberately proceeding past a point of no return. It originates with [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Caesar Julius Caesar]'s invasion of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Rome Ancient Rome] when, on January 10, 49 BC, he led his army across the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubicon Rubicon River] in violation of [[law]], hence making conflict inevitable. Therefore the term "the Rubicon" is used as a synonym to the "point of no return".
==Point of No Return==
==Point of No Return==
The point of no return is the point beyond which someone, or some [[group]] of people, must continue on their current course of [[action]], either because turning back is [[physical]]ly impossible, or because to do so would be prohibitively expensive or dangerous. It is also used when the distance or effort required to get back would be greater than the remainder of the [[journey]] or task as yet undertaken.
The point of no return is the point beyond which someone, or some [[group]] of people, must continue on their current course of [[action]], either because turning back is [[physical]]ly impossible, or because to do so would be prohibitively expensive or dangerous. It is also used when the distance or effort required to get back would be greater than the remainder of the [[journey]] or task as yet undertaken.
Since then, "point of no return" has become an everyday expression, with its aviation origins probably unknown to most speakers. It has served as a title for numerous literary and entertainment works.
Since then, "point of no return" has become an everyday expression, with its aviation origins probably unknown to most speakers. It has served as a title for numerous literary and entertainment works.
==Related Expressions==
==Related Expressions==
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alea_iacta_est Alea iacta est] ("The dice is cast"), which is reportedly what Caesar said during the aforementioned crossing of the Rubicon.
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alea_iacta_est Alea iacta est] ("The dice is cast"), which is reportedly what Caesar said during the aforementioned crossing of the Rubicon.
===Equivalent expressions===
===Equivalent expressions===
*Burn one's bridges.
*Burn one's bridges.
*Burn one's boats.
*Burn one's boats.
A variation of burning one's bridges. The Muslim commander [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tariq_ibn_Ziyad Tariq ibn Ziyad], upon setting foot on the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iberian_Peninsula Iberian Peninsula] in 711, ordered his ships to be burnt, so that his men had no choice but to thrust forward and conquer the peninsula.
A variation of burning one's bridges. The Muslim commander [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tariq_ibn_Ziyad Tariq ibn Ziyad], upon setting foot on the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iberian_Peninsula Iberian Peninsula] in 711, ordered his ships to be burnt, so that his men had no choice but to thrust forward and conquer the peninsula.
*"[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-character_idiom Break the woks and sink the boats (破釜沉舟])"
*"[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-character_idiom Break the woks and sink the boats (破釜沉舟])"
An ancient Chinese saying referring to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xiang_Yu Xiang Yu]'s order at the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Julu Battle of Julu]; by fording a river and destroying all means of re-crossing it, he committed his army to a struggle to the end with the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qin Qin] and eventually achieved victory.
An ancient Chinese saying referring to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xiang_Yu Xiang Yu]'s order at the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Julu Battle of Julu]; by fording a river and destroying all means of re-crossing it, he committed his army to a struggle to the end with the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qin Qin] and eventually achieved victory.
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_French_phrases_used_by_English_speakers#F Fait accompli] ("accomplished deed", from the verb "faire", to do), a term of French origin denoting an irreversible deed.
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_French_phrases_used_by_English_speakers#F Fait accompli] ("accomplished deed", from the verb "faire", to do), a term of French origin denoting an irreversible deed.
[[Category: Languages and Literature]]
[[Category: Languages and Literature]]