fait accompli
/ˌfeɪt əˈkɒmpli
/ /fɛt akɔ̃pli/noun [in singular]
A thing that has already happened or been decided before those affected hear about it, leaving them with no option but to accept it: the results were presented to shareholders as a fait accompli...
- Many protestors have claimed the closure was already a fait accompli, and yesterday the consultation exercise was branded a sham by some of those opposed to the closure.
- We feel the proposal has been presented as a fait accompli with no other options provided.
- It looked like the watergas option was a fait accompli with the Stratford Town Board, until a forward-thinking man stepped into the fray.
Origin
Mid 19th century: from French, literally 'accomplished fact'.