die Würfel sind gefallen
the die is cast; the decision is final and irreversible
Origin
The phrase derives from the Latin 'alea iacta est', attributed to Julius Caesar when he crossed the Rubicon in 49 BC (handed down among others by Suetonius). It denotes an irreversible decision whose outcome is still uncertain.
Building blocks
Words in this expression
Grammar that uses this word
- Pronoun 'dir' (you/to you, informal, dative)Pronomen 'dir' (Dativ)
- Pronoun 'Ihnen' (you/to you, formal, dative)Pronomen 'Ihnen' (formell, Dativ)
- Verb 'gefallen' (to please/like, + dative)Verb 'gefallen' (+ Dativ)
- Pronoun 'uns' (us/to us, dative)Pronomen 'uns' (Dativ)
Examples
Wir haben den unterschrieben – die sind .
We've signed the contract — the die is cast.