the rubicon

noun
UK: /ðə ˈruːbɪkən/
US: /ðə ˈruːbɪkɑːn/

  1. A point of no return; a boundary that, once crossed, commits a person to a particular course of action.

    1. He crossed the Rubicon when he signed the contract.
    2. Once the company decided to launch the new product, the Rubicon had been crossed, and there was no going back on their decision.

  2. A decisive or irreversible step.

    1. Taking this job is the Rubicon for her career.
    2. For many, purchasing their first home represents the Rubicon in their journey towards financial independence and stability.

Synonyms

point of no return turning point
the rubicon verb

  1. To pass a point of no return; to commit oneself irrevocably to a course of action.

    1. They Rubiconed when they announced their plans.
    2. Having publicly criticized the policy, the politician had Rubiconed, making it impossible to support it later without losing face.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "the rubicon" in English means: A point of no return; a boundary that, once crossed, commits a person to a particular course of action., A decisive or irreversible step..

The phonetic transcription of "the rubicon" is /ðə ˈruːbɪkən/ in British English and /ðə ˈruːbɪkɑːn/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "the rubicon": point of no return, turning point.

Example usage of "the rubicon": "He crossed the Rubicon when he signed the contract.". More examples on the page.