Things Are Serious If You 'Cross the Rubicon'
2023-01-15
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1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
2On this program we explore words and expressions in the English language.
3We give examples and notes on usage.
4Sometimes we tell about their origin story - where they come from.
5But origins are often a lot of guesswork.
6We often don't know how some expressions began.
7That is not the case with today's expression - to cross the Rubicon.
8But before we talk about its origin, let's talk about its meaning.
9To cross the Rubicon means to make a decision of permanence.
10It cannot be changed. It is irreversible - a done deal - no cancellations!
11Someone who has crossed the Rubicon has reached a point where they cannot change a course of action.
12In other words, there is no going back.
13Now for its origin.
14This expression comes from a story about Julius Caesar.
15Rubicon is the name of the river he crossed with his army.
16Experts say this started a civil war in Rome in 49 BCE.
17When our enemies draw a line in the sand and we pass over that line, we could also say we have crossed the Rubicon.
18Therefore, the result or consequence of the decision or action is severe.
19It has weight. If I cross the Rubicon, I have made a fateful and final decision.
20Therefore, we don't use this expression for low-stakes situations - times when nothing is at stake.
21If nothing is at stake, nothing important is at risk.
22For those lighter times, we can say, that ship has sailed or that train has left the station.
23So, save cross the Rubicon for a heavy, meaningful decision or action.
24Here are two friends using the expression.
25A: Did you about Angela and Dimitry? They broke up.
26B: What?? They seemed like such a great couple. What happened?
27A: Well, Angela accepted a dream job out in Alaska.
28She's going to be researching polar bears.
29B: That sounds great!
30A: It is great. For her. The problem is ... she didn't tell Dimitry. He found out from some guy who works at their favorite coffee shop.
31B: Oh, that's not good.
32A: Yeah. Dimitry said he can forgive a lot but not this. She crossed the Rubicon when she decided to move without telling him first.
33B: I like Angela. But Dimitry has a point.
34And that brings us to the end of this Words and Their Stories.
35Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo.
1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English. 2On this program we explore words and expressions in the English language. We give examples and notes on usage. Sometimes we tell about their origin story - where they come from. But origins are often a lot of guesswork. We often don't know how some expressions began. 3That is not the case with today's expression - to cross the Rubicon. 4But before we talk about its origin, let's talk about its meaning. 5To cross the Rubicon means to make a decision of permanence. It cannot be changed. It is irreversible - a done deal - no cancellations! 6Someone who has crossed the Rubicon has reached a point where they cannot change a course of action. In other words, there is no going back. 7Now for its origin. 8This expression comes from a story about Julius Caesar. Rubicon is the name of the river he crossed with his army. Experts say this started a civil war in Rome in 49 BCE. 9When our enemies draw a line in the sand and we pass over that line, we could also say we have crossed the Rubicon. 10Therefore, the result or consequence of the decision or action is severe. It has weight. If I cross the Rubicon, I have made a fateful and final decision. 11Therefore, we don't use this expression for low-stakes situations - times when nothing is at stake. If nothing is at stake, nothing important is at risk. For those lighter times, we can say, that ship has sailed or that train has left the station. 12So, save cross the Rubicon for a heavy, meaningful decision or action. 13Here are two friends using the expression. 14A: Did you about Angela and Dimitry? They broke up. 15B: What?? They seemed like such a great couple. What happened? 16A: Well, Angela accepted a dream job out in Alaska. She's going to be researching polar bears. 17B: That sounds great! 18A: It is great. For her. The problem is ... she didn't tell Dimitry. He found out from some guy who works at their favorite coffee shop. 19B: Oh, that's not good. 20A: Yeah. Dimitry said he can forgive a lot but not this. She crossed the Rubicon when she decided to move without telling him first. 21B: I like Angela. But Dimitry has a point. 22And that brings us to the end of this Words and Their Stories. 23Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo. 24Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. 25_______________________________________________________________ 26Words in This Story 27origin - n. a rising, beginning, or coming from a source 28irreversible - adj. not capable of going back or backward 29consequence - n. something produced by a cause or necessarily following from a set of conditions 30fateful - adj. having serious results 31stakes - n. something that is at risk for gain or loss 32_______________________________________________________________ 33We want to hear from you. Do you have a similar expressions in your language? In the Comments section, you can also practice using any of the expressions from the story. 34We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 35Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.