inevitable; point of no return; the die is cast
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
when things have reached a point where one cannot but act; the point of no return; unavoidable
Often used in the complete form '箭在弦上，不得不发'. Describes a situation where one is compelled to act due to momentum or necessity.
Jiàn箭
zài在
xián弦
shàng上
，
bù不
dé得
bù不
fā发
。
The arrow is on the bowstring and must be released—there is no turning back now.
Rú如
jīn今
jú局
shì势
yǐ已
shì是
jiàn箭
zài在
xián弦
shàng上
，
wǒ我
men们
bì必
xū须
lì立
jí即
zuò做
chū出
jué决
dìng定
。
The situation has now reached a point of no return; we must make a decision immediately.
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Huà话
yǐ已
shuō说
chū出
kǒu口
，
jiù就
xiàng像
jiàn箭
zài在
xián弦
shàng上
，
wú无
fǎ法
shōu收
huí回
le了
。
The words have been spoken; like an arrow on the bowstring, they cannot be taken back.