phrases, sayings, proverbs and idioms at
Home button Home | Search the phrases.org.uk website Search | Phrase Dictionary | A foregone conclusion

The meaning and origin of the expression: A foregone conclusion

A foregone conclusion

Other phrases by:

What's the meaning of the phrase 'A foregone conclusion'?

A foregone conclusion is a decision made before the evidence for or against it is known. Literally, it is a conclusion which is inevitable because the result has been decided beforehand (or 'afore').

What's the origin of the phrase 'A foregone conclusion'?

The meaning and origin of the expression 'A foregone conclusion'From Shakespeare's Othello, 1604:

OTHELLO:
But this denoted a foregone conclusion:
'Tis a shrewd doubt, though it be but a dream.

What Othello is saying is that he is certain that his lover has been unfaithful to him because his dreaming of it signified that it had already happened - that is, it was 'foregone'. Not evidence that would stand up in court today, but good enough for Othello.

Gary Martin - the author of the phrases.org.uk website.

By Gary Martin

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Browse phrases beginning with:
 
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T UV W XYZ Full List