point of no return

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.

point of no return

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of point of no return¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

Rare wildlife habitats could be pushed "beyond the point of no return" by large solar farm developments, conservationists have warned.

From BBC

“The accusation is the gravest news for the Mexican financial system in decades and represents a point of no return for these three firms,” wrote columnist Carlos Mota of the El Heraldo de México newspaper.

From Los Angeles Times

Israel, and several Western countries, suspect that Iran has been secretly working towards what is called "breakout capability", meaning the point of no return in developing a viable nuclear weapon.

From BBC

Pattison says it took a long time to work up the nerve to hit "post" on X, because she knew it would be "the point of no return".

From BBC

They were fast approaching the point of no return.

From Salon