to pass the rubicon

1 definition found

to pass the rubicon - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Rubicon \Ru"bi*con\, prop. n. (Anc. geog.)
     A small river which separated Italy from Cisalpine Gaul, the
     province alloted to Julius Caesar.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: By leading an army across this river, contrary to the
           prohibition of the civil government at Rome, Caesar
           precipitated the civil war which resulted in the death
           of Pompey and the overthrow of the senate; hence, the
           phrase
  
     to pass the Rubicon or
  
     cross the Rubicon signifies to take the decisive step by
        which one is committed to a hazardous enterprise from
        which there is no retreat.
        [1913 Webster]