The die is cast - Жребий брошен
The words The die is cast mean the decision is taken
and one cannot draw back, for one’s fate is irrevocably
settled. The metaphor comes from playing dice, a game
of chance.
The words are ascribed to Julius Caesar at the Rubicon. Plutarch tells us in his Life of Caesar that, when
Caesar came to the fateful stream, he stood for a long
time in silence, “computing how many calamities his
p'assing that river would bring upon mankind”. But
finally “with a sort of passion... uttering the phrase
with which men usually prelude their plunge into desperate and daring fortunes, “Let the die be cast”, he
hastened to cross the river.” (See also: To cross the
Rubicon)
“We must do something about it. H aven’t you
any plan? Are there no steps you can take?”
“Yes, yes. You’re right, of course. The die is
cast. Steps shall be taken. In fact not a moment
shall be lost...”
C. Isherwood, Mr. N orris Changes Trains
Out in the street he swore deeply, quietly to
himself. A spider’s web, and to cut it he must use
this spidery, secret, unclean method, so utterly
repugnant to one who regarded his private life as
his most sacred piece of property. But the die was
cast, he could not go back.
J. Galsworthy, In Chancery
1. Смысл выражения жребий брошен — конец колебаниям, сомнениям, нерешительности; судьба бесповоротно решена. 2. Эти слова приписываются Юлию Цезарю. 3. Юлий Цезарь, живший в первом веке до нашей эры, был знаменитым полководцем, политическим деятелем и писателем. 4. Цезарь произнес слова «Жребий брошен» перед переходом его войск через реку Рубикон. 5. Это произошло в 49 году до нашей эры. 6. Переход Цезаря через Рубикон положил начало гражданской войне.