what's done is done; situation is irreversible
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesphrase
what's done is done; the situation is a foregone conclusion and cannot be changed
literaryThe phrase literally means 'the wood has already been made into a boat.' It emphasizes that a situation has progressed to a point where reversal is impossible. It often carries a tone of resignation or acceptance.
Hé合
tóng同
yǐ已
jīng经
qiān签
le了
，
mù木
yǐ已
chéng成
zhōu舟
，
xiàn现
zài在
xiǎng想
fǎn反
huǐ悔
yě也
wǎn晚
le了
。
The contract has already been signed; what's done is done, and it's too late to back out now.
Tā他
men们
liǎ俩
dōu都
yǐ已
jīng经
jié结
hūn婚
le了
，
wǒ我
men们
hái还
néng能
shuō说
shén什
me么
？
mù木
yǐ已
chéng成
zhōu舟
le了
。
They're already married; what more can we say? It's a done deal.
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Xiàng项
mù目
zī资
jīn金
yǐ已
jīng经
tóu投
rù入
，
mù木
yǐ已
chéng成
zhōu舟
，
zhǐ只
néng能
jìn尽
lì力
bǎ把
tā它
zuò做
hǎo好
。
The project funds have been invested; the die is cast, and we can only do our best to make it successful.
Cuò错
wù误
yǐ已
jīng经
fàn犯
xià下
，
mù木
yǐ已
chéng成
zhōu舟
，
hòu后
huǐ悔
yě也
méi没
yǒu有
yòng用
le了
。
The mistake has been made; it's irreversible, and regretting it is useless.