point of no return

American  

noun

1. Aviation. the point in a flight at which an aircraft will lack sufficient fuel to return to its starting point.

2. the critical point in an undertaking, decision-making process, etc., where one has committed oneself irrevocably to a course of action or policy.

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point of no return British  

noun

1. a point at which an irreversible commitment must be made to an action, progression, etc

2. a point in a journey at which, if one continues, supplies will be insufficient for a return to the starting place

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point of no return Idioms  

1. The place in a course of action beyond which reversal is not possible. For example, Once the contract is signed, we've reached the point of no return. This expression comes from aviation, where it signifies the point where an aircraft does not have enough fuel to return to the starting point. [c. 1940]

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Etymology

Origin of point of no return

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

point of no return

"That would not be a setback. It would be a point of no return for everyone."

From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026

The high representative for Gaza in US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace warned Wednesday of a "point of no return" if the Israel-Hamas ceasefire breaks down.

From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026

Eatherly is now well past that point of no return.

From Slate ● Aug. 20, 2026

The point of no return is already in the rearview mirror, and the road ahead is flanked by pain.

From Salon ● Jun. 13, 2026

“You said we crossed the point of no return, so does that mean there was a time we could have gone back?”

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman