the genie is out of the bottle
This phrase originates from Arabian mythology, where a genie, once released from its bottle, cannot be contained again. It is often used to describe irreversible situations.
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Definition
B2General
(informal)A situation where something has been revealed or initiated and cannot be undone or controlled.
Example
- Once the news was leaked, the genie was out of the bottle and there was no going back.
- Now that the technology has been released, the genie is out of the bottle.
C1Business
(informal)An irreversible change in a business environment, often leading to significant consequences.
Example
- After the merger was announced, the genie was out of the bottle and the market reacted swiftly.
- With the introduction of this new policy, the genie is out of the bottle, and we must adapt quickly.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "the genie is out of the bottle":