A foregone conclusion
Meaning
Something that is certain to happen or has already been decided, making any further discussion or action pointless.
Origin
The phrase "a foregone conclusion" makes its debut in William Shakespeare's tragic play, Othello, penned around 1604. In a pivotal scene of manipulation, the villainous Iago plants false evidence and narrates a fabricated dream involving Cassio and Desdemona. Othello, already consumed by jealousy, declares, "It is impossible you should see this... but for all this, / When you shall hear that I can prove you this, / Let it be a foregone conclusion." Here, Iago uses the phrase to assert that once Othello hears the 'proof,' the verdict of Desdemona's infidelity will be undeniably established, already settled in his mind. Shakespeare’s masterful stroke gave us a phrase that perfectly captures an outcome already decided, forever linking it to the dramatic machinations of one of literature's most infamous villains.
Examples
- Given the team's undefeated record, their victory in the championship was a foregone conclusion even before the final game began.
- After hours of debate, it became clear that the outcome of the vote was a foregone conclusion, as one side had a clear majority.