point of no return
noun phrase
1
: the point in the flight of an aircraft beyond which the remaining fuel will be insufficient for a return to the starting point with the result that the craft must proceed
2
: a critical point at which turning back or reversal is not possible
Word History
First Known Use
1941, in the meaning defined at sense 1
point of no return
phrase
as in crisis
a time or state of affairs requiring prompt or decisive action We've reached the point of no return and have no choice but to see this through. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- crisis
- head
- crossroad(s)
- breaking point
- boiling point
- flash point
- situation
- crunch time
- emergency
- extremity
- zero hour
- turning point
- juncture
- moment of truth
- crunch
- clutch
- conjuncture
- exigency
- possibility
- tinderbox
- predicament
- milestone
- contingency
- Dunkirk
- climax
- hot water
- condition
- last ditch
- last minute
- happening
- corner
- eleventh hour
- landmark
- strait
- hole
- spot
- impasse
- stalemate
- deadlock
- jam
- pass
- pinch
- scrape
- fix