les jeux sont faits

1 9.9

A final decision that cannot be changed

idiom
/leɪ ʒø sɔ̃ feɪ/

Literature

: los dados están echados

When the final bid was in, the auctioneer declared, 'les jeux sont faits.'

Examples

"Les jeux sont faits, there's nothing more we can do now," he sighed, accepting the situation.
After the voting, we all agreed that les jeux sont faits.
She whispered 'les jeux sont faits' as the contest began, knowing all preparations were complete.
Don't les jeux sont faits!
"Les jeux sont faits, there's nothing more we can do now," he sighed, accepting the situation.
She whispered 'les jeux sont faits' as the contest began, knowing all preparations were complete.
When the final bid was in, the auctioneer declared, 'les jeux sont faits.'

Synonyms

that's that

vsles jeux sont faits

Informal

255 5.1

A final decision that cannot be changed or discussed

is an idiomatic foreign phrase that signals the outcome is fixed

foregone conclusion

vsles jeux sont faits

Informal

14 3.7

A result that is sure to happen and cannot be changed

frames finality as an already decided outcome that cannot be changed

fait accompli

vsles jeux sont faits

6 9.4

A thing already done that cannot be changed

is the same meaning but presented as a foreign-language expression

all over but the shouting

vsles jeux sont faits

Informal

1 9.2

The result is already decided and only small steps remain

stresses the outcome is already determined with no real change possible

all over bar the shouting

vsles jeux sont faits

1 9.9

Only small formal steps remain before the result is final

asserts the outcome is fixed rather than only needing formal steps

Roma locuta est, causa finita est

vsles jeux sont faits

Archaic

9.9

A phrase that says when a person in charge decides, the matter is finished

expresses final outcome regardless of who issued the decision

Antonyms

undecided

68 2.9

Not yet sure which option or side to choose

Surface Forms

les jeux sont faits main

Morphology

les + jeux + sont + faits

Literally the components are French words meaning 'the games are made/done' (les = the, jeux = games, sont = are, faits = made/done), so a learner who knows the constituents can infer that something is finished or settled. However, the presence of 'jeux' and the phrase's status as an idiomatic French fixed expression in English makes the precise sense 'the decision is final / the outcome cannot be changed' not fully predictable without prior exposure.

Etymology

The phrase les jeux sont faits says les jeux 'the games' are faits 'made' and comes from gambling, where after all bets are placed the dealer would say it to show no more moves are possible. That's why it now means 'the outcome is already decided' or 'the decision is final'.