Things Are Serious If You 'Cross the Rubicon'

Things Are Serious If You 'Cross the Rubicon'

And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.

On this program we explore words and expressions in the English language. We give examples and notes on usage. Sometimes we tell about their origin story – where they come from. But origins are often a lot of guesswork. We often don’t know how some expressions began.

That is not the case with today’s expression – to cross the Rubicon.

But before we talk about its origin, let’s talk about its meaning.

To cross the Rubicon means to make a decision of permanence. It cannot be changed. It is irreversible - a done deal – no cancellations!

Someone who has crossed the Rubicon has reached a point where they cannot change a course of action. In other words, there is no going back.

Now for its origin.

This expression comes from a story about Julius Caesar. Rubicon is the name of the river he crossed with his army. Experts say this started a civil war in Rome in 49 BCE.

When our enemies draw a line in the sand and we pass over that line, we could also say we have crossed the Rubicon.

Therefore, the result or consequence of the decision or action is severe. It has weight. If I cross the Rubicon, I have made a fateful and final decision.

Therefore, we don't use this expression for low-stakes situations – times when nothing is at stake. If nothing is at stake, nothing important is at risk. For those lighter times, we can say, that ship has sailed or that train has left the station.

So, save cross the Rubicon for a heavy, meaningful decision or action.

Here are two friends using the expression.

A: Did you about Angela and Dimitry? They broke up.

B: What?? They seemed like such a great couple. What happened?

A: Well, Angela accepted a dream job out in Alaska. She’s going to be researching polar bears.

B: That sounds great!

A: It is great. For her. The problem is … she didn’t tell Dimitry. He found out from some guy who works at their favorite coffee shop.

B: Oh, that’s not good.

A: Yeah. Dimitry said he can forgive a lot but not this. She crossed the Rubicon when she decided to move without telling him first.

B: I like Angela. But Dimitry has a point.

And that brings us to the end of this Words and Their Stories.

Until next time … I’m Anna Matteo.

Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English.

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Words in This Story

origin – n. a rising, beginning, or coming from a source

irreversible – adj. not capable of going back or backward

consequence – n. something produced by a cause or necessarily following from a set of conditions

fateful – adj. having serious results

stakes – n. something that is at risk for gain or loss

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