done deal

Idioms  

1. An irrevocable agreement, as in Once you've signed the lease, it's a done deal. This slangy expression, first recorded in 1979, may have come from done thing, originating in the late 1600s.

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Example Sentences

Even stats specialists Opta think it's a done deal, with their prediction table giving Coventry a 100% chance of promotion.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

But the project, estimated to cost between $11 billion and $15 billion, is far from a done deal.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

The Warner Bros. sale is not a done deal, however, as rival Paramount Skydance Corp.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 2, 2026

With the hold likely a done deal, investors will be paying close attention to ECB President Christine Lagarde's press conference for any hints on the path forward after Governing Council members gave conflicting signals.

From Barron's • Dec. 18, 2025

“I mean, it’s a done deal, right? It’s not like I could get her back if I wanted to.”

From "Far from the Tree" by Robin Benway