PhrasesHub

Foregone conclusion

    Definitions

      • Inevitable outcome
        Referring to a situation or event that is certain to happen, regardless of any actions taken to prevent it or change its course

      • Assumed or expected result
        Implying that the outcome of a situation is already known or predetermined, often suggesting that it is not worth discussing further

    Examples of Foregone conclusion

    • It's a foregone conclusion that she'll win the election.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where the outcome is already determined or inevitable, as if it was predestined from the start. In this example, it's being used to say that it's extremely likely that the person being talked about will win the election, and there's nothing anyone can do to change that.

    • The sports team's victory in the final was a foregone conclusion after they dominated the game from start to finish.

      This idiom is again being used to describe a situation where the outcome is known in advance. In this example, the sports team had already established their dominance over their opponents, leaving no doubt as to who would win the game.

    • I already feel that the meeting is going to be a foregone conclusion. No matter what I say, they're going to decide against my proposal.

      This idiom is being used to express a feeling of hopelessness or resignation. In this example, the person speaking feels that the outcome of the meeting is already decided, and their proposal will be rejected no matter what they say or do.

    • The suspect's confession was a foregone conclusion once the evidence was presented.

      This idiom is being used to explain how the presentation of evidence in a court of law can lead to a foregone conclusion. In this example, the suspect's confession was an inevitable outcome once the evidence was presented, as it left no doubt as to their guilt.

    • The US presidential election between Joe Biden and Donald Trump seemed like a foregone conclusion after multiple polls showed Biden leading by a significant margin in the final weeks of the campaign.

      In this example, the phrase "foregone conclusion" is used to describe a situation where the outcome is already clear or highly likely to happen. Here, it implies that after seeing the poll results, it was almost certain that Joe Biden would win the US presidential election.

    • The detectives believed that the criminal's identity was a foregone conclusion after they found his fingerprints on the gun at the crime scene.

      In this example, the phrase "foregone conclusion" is used to describe a situation where the identity of the criminal is known with almost certainty based on evidence found at the crime scene.

    • The teacher knew that the student's answer was a foregone conclusion when he saw the expression of victory on his face before answering the question.

      In this example, the phrase "foregone conclusion" is used to describe a situation where the outcome is already clear or highly likely to happen based on external factors, such as the student's demeanor.

    • The jury delivered a foregone conclusion when they found the defendant guilty on all charges.

      In this example, the phrase "foregone conclusion" is used to describe a situation where the outcome is already clear or highly likely to happen based on the evidence presented during the trial.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "foregone conclusion" is used to describe a situation or outcome that is certain to happen, regardless of any efforts made to change it. It can also convey a sense of inevitability or an expected result that is already known. This phrase is often used to discourage others from taking action, as it implies that the outcome is already decided and not worth pursuing.

    Origin of "Foregone conclusion"

    The origin of the idiom "foregone conclusion" can be traced back to ancient Greek and Roman literature. In the play "Pharsalia" by Roman poet Lucan, the phrase "conclusum est" (it is concluded) was used to indicate a predetermined outcome. This phrase was later translated into Latin as "praedictio certa" (certain prediction) and eventually evolved into the English phrase "foregone conclusion."

    Over time, the idiom became popular in English literature and was used by authors such as William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens. In these works, the phrase was often used to express a sense of inevitability or to suggest that a particular outcome was already known to be certain. Today, the idiom "foregone conclusion" is a commonly used expression in everyday language, conveying a sense of certainty or an expected result.