the die has been cast

The phrase "the die has been cast" is an idiomatic expression that means a decision or action has been made, which cannot be changed or reversed, and the consequences or outcome are now inevitable. It reflects a sense of finality or determination, implying that a significant event or choice has occurred, and there is no turning back or altering the course of events. The phrase originated from Julius Caesar's famous quote "alea iacta est" in Latin, which translates to "the die is cast." Caesar uttered these words while crossing the Rubicon River, symbolizing his irreversible decision to start a civil war against the Roman Republic.