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

The campaign group also accused Dean of posting the message: "Indigenous Britain is slipping further into the abyss. We will soon reach the point of no return."

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

But that strategy has dramatically backfired, propelling the aging franchise closer to the brink of the point of no return.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

“However, there is a point of no return where the spike in oil starts to work in reverse resulting in a negative impact on equities,” writes J.P.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

Mexican officials say that the Sheinbaum administration is now at a point of no return as it deals with the aftermath of the kingpin’s death.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

Because we will have waded out too far, out past the point of no return, too far to ever make it home again.

From "Missing May" by Cynthia Rylant