done deal

USAGE SUMMARY

"done deal" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used when a decision has been made or an agreement has been reached. For example: After the negotiation, both sides agreed the terms and the deal was a done deal.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's a done deal.

The New York Times

A done deal?

The Economist

It was a done deal".

The New York Times - Sports

It's pretty much a done deal.

The New Yorker

"For me it's a done deal.

Independent

Not quite a done deal yet?

The Economist

It is not yet a done deal.

The New York Times

But it is not a done deal".

The New York Times - Arts

"But this is not a done deal".

The New York Times

"This is a done deal.

The Guardian

"It's not a done deal".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "done deal" to clearly and concisely communicate that an agreement or decision is final and no longer subject to change.

Common error

Ensure all parties have genuinely agreed and that no further conditions apply before declaring something a "done deal". Prematurely claiming a "done deal" can damage trust and negotiations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "done deal" functions as a noun phrase indicating that an agreement or negotiation has been successfully completed and is now considered final. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used to convey that a matter is settled.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "done deal" is a common and widely accepted idiom used to indicate that an agreement or decision has been finalized. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is used to convey certainty and finality. While appropriate for various contexts, including news and business, being sure the deal is, in fact, complete before declaring it a "done deal" is important, as this avoids potential misunderstandings. Alternatives such as "agreement finalized" or "decision reached" may be more suitable for highly formal settings. The examples found by Ludwig indicate its frequent use in reputable sources, confirming its place as an established part of the English lexicon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fait accompli

Borrowed from French; emphasizes that something is irreversible and already happened.

agreement finalized

Focuses on the formal conclusion of an agreement.

decision reached

Emphasizes the conclusion of a decision-making process.

matter settled

Highlights that a dispute or uncertainty has been resolved.

conclusion reached

Stresses the endpoint of a deliberation or negotiation.

signed and sealed

Highlights the official and binding nature of an agreement.

all wrapped up

Informal way of saying something is completely finished.

in the bag

Suggests assured success or completion, often used informally.

case closed

Indicates that an investigation or discussion is over, with a definitive result.

water under the bridge

Implies something is resolved and no longer worth worrying about.

FAQs

How can I use "done deal" in a sentence?

You can use "done deal" to indicate that an agreement or decision has been finalized. For instance, "After weeks of negotiation, the contract was a "done deal"".

What are some alternatives to "done deal"?

Alternatives include "agreement finalized", "decision reached", or "matter settled" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "done deal" in formal writing?

While "done deal" is widely understood, it can be considered slightly informal. In very formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "agreement finalized" or "conclusion reached".

What does it mean when someone says "it's not a done deal"?

If someone says "it's not a "done deal"", it means that the agreement or decision is not yet final and may still be subject to change or cancellation.