les jeux sont faits

English

Etymology

Borrowed from French les jeux sont faits (literally “the games are made”). Earliest use found in James Joyce (1882–1941) in the 1920s.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /leɪ ˌʒɜː sɒ̃ ˈfeɪ/
• Rhymes: -eɪ

Phrase

les jeux sont faits

1. (gambling) In roulette, the call made by the croupier as the wheel is set in motion.

   Synonyms: no more bets, the stakes are set, rien ne va plus

2. (idiomatic) Things have reached an irreversible point; you cannot go back now that you have done something.

   Synonym: the die is cast

Related terms

• faites vos jeux

References

• “les jeux sont faits”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.

French

Etymology

Literally, “the games are made”.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /le ʒø sɔ̃ fɛ/
• Rhymes: -ɛ

Phrase

les jeux sont faits

1. (gambling) les jeux sont faits, the stakes are set (call made by the croupier)

   Synonym: rien ne va plus

2. (idiomatic) the die is cast, les jeux sont faits (things have reached an irreversible point)

   Synonyms: le sort en est jeté, les dés sont jetés

Related terms

• faites vos jeux