concept
Event Horizon
The point beyond which there is no turning back.
Origin
In general relativity, the boundary around a black hole inside which the escape velocity exceeds the speed of light โ meaning nothing, not even information, can cross back outward. The 1997 sci-fi horror film of the same name gave the phrase its pop-culture echo.
Modern usage
Used in negotiations, legal cases, relationships, and policy debates for the point at which a situation becomes irreversible. Slightly more dramatic than 'point of no return'.
Tags
irreversible
threshold
physics