Cross the Rubicon
To cross the Rubicon means to take a decisive step that makes turning back difficult or impossible; it comes from the story of Julius Caesar leading his army across the Rubicon into Italy, an act that brought conflict with Rome’s ruling authorities.
Where it comes from
Caesar crosses the river
The story appears in Plutarch’s account of Caesar’s life. Taking troops across this boundary challenged Roman authority and committed Caesar to civil war.
In Parallel Lives, Caesar pauses at the Rubicon and weighs the consequences before crossing with his troops.
In Parallel Lives by Plutarch
A point of no easy return
Today the phrase describes a choice that turns thought into action and closes off an easy retreat. It need not involve war, but it suggests serious consequences.
In Macbeth, Macbeth’s murder of Duncan serves as a comparable turning point: he acts on his ambition and begins a course of further violence.
In Macbeth by William Shakespeare
How to use Cross the Rubicon
- Choose a decision with serious consequences.
- Identify the action that makes retreat difficult.
- Use the phrase for that action, not merely for considering it.
Is crossing the Rubicon always a bad thing?
No, crossing the Rubicon is not necessarily bad. The phrase stresses commitment and consequences rather than moral judgment. It can describe a brave decision or a reckless one, depending on what someone does and what follows.
How is crossing the Rubicon different from making a decision?
Crossing the Rubicon means acting in a way that makes a decision hard to reverse. Someone may decide privately to leave a job but still change course. Sending a resignation letter could be described as crossing the Rubicon.
Related terms
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