Once a situation has reached a critical point, action must be taken and there is no turning back; it's a point of no return.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Synonym:
Story:
During the late Eastern Han Dynasty, Yuan Shao sought to attack Cao Cao. He instructed Chen Lin to draft a powerful indictment, 'A Proclamation for Yuan Shao Against Yu Province,' which enumerated Cao Cao's alleged crimes and harshly criticized his lineage.
Later, after Yuan Shao's defeat by Cao Cao in the Battle of Guandu, Chen Lin joined Cao Cao's ranks. Cao Cao questioned Chen Lin about the severe nature of the proclamation. Chen Lin explained that at the time, he was under Yuan Shao's compulsion, and his situation was like 'the arrow on the string,' meaning he had no choice but to comply and write it.