point of no return, the
the point of no return
A point at which it is impossible to reverse one's actions or return to one's starting point. This is the point of no return. If we sign this agreement, we are committed for the long haul. The climbers had reached the point of no return. At this stage, they either had to reach their destination, or die trying.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
point of no return
the halfway point; the point at which it is too late to turn back. (Often with past.) The flight was past the point of no return, so we had to continue to our destination. The entire project is past the point of no return; we will have to continue with it.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
point of no return
The place in a course of action beyond which reversal is not possible. For example, Once the contract is signed, we've reached the point of no return. This expression comes from aviation, where it signifies the point where an aircraft does not have enough fuel to return to the starting point. [c. 1940]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
point of no return
the point in a journey or enterprise at which it becomes essential or more practical to continue to the end.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
(get to, reach, etc.) the ˌpoint of ˌno reˈturn
the time when you must continue with what you have decided to do, because it is not possible to get back to an earlier situation: We’ve invested so much in the project that we simply must finish it. We’ve reached the point of no return.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
point of no return, the
A critical point that, if passed, allows for no reversal of direction or decision. This term comes from aviation, where it means the point in a flight beyond which there would no longer be fuel enough to return to the starting place. It originated among aviators during World War II. John P. Marquand used it as the title of a novel (1949).
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer