foregone conclusion

American  

noun

1. an inevitable conclusion or result.

2. a conclusion, opinion, or decision formed in advance of proper consideration of evidence, arguments, etc.

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foregone conclusion British  

noun

1. an inevitable result or conclusion

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Etymology

Origin of foregone conclusion

First recorded in 1595–1605

Example Sentences

Andrew Gilruth, chief executive of the Moorland Association, which represents landowners in upland areas in England and Wales, claimed the government's backing for the project suggested the go-ahead was "already a foregone conclusion".

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

“I think endemicity is a foregone conclusion and measles will circulate at the level it did in the 1990s,” Adalja said.

From Salon • Apr. 8, 2026

California currently has the highest average gasoline price at $5.14, but the $6 price level as an average for the state is not a foregone conclusion just yet, De Haan said.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 9, 2026

“It’s a bounce back from the extreme selloff we saw in software based on a foregone conclusion that AI would be the end of software,” said David Miller, chief investment officer for Catalyst Mutual Funds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

“Yeah, we love him,” Bobby Gene said, like it was a foregone conclusion.

From "The Season of Styx Malone" by Kekla Magoon

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