ser sal comido

You use it as a predicate. You can say Isso é sal comido. It works perfectly when someone tries to argue a point. You stop them by saying the matter is already 'eaten salt'. It is very common in business and personal negotiations. Use it to show you are firm. It implies that the time for talking is over. The action has already happened or been decided.

Use it when a contract is signed. Use it when a breakup is final. It is great for texting a friend about a plan. If the tickets are bought, it is sal comido. In a meeting, use it to move to the next topic. It signals that the current point is no longer up for discussion. It saves time and energy in conversations.

Do not use it for things that are still uncertain. If you are still weighing options, this phrase is wrong. Avoid using it in very sensitive emotional tragedies. It might sound a bit too cold or dismissive. Don't use it for food unless you literally mean the salt is gone. That would be a very confusing dinner conversation! Stick to abstract situations and finalized plans.

This expression likely comes from old trade or preservation traditions. Salt was once a valuable currency and a preservative. Once the salt was used or 'eaten' by the process, it was gone. In Portuguese culture, being direct about finality is valued. It reflects a pragmatic, 'no-nonsense' attitude toward life. It is particularly popular in Portugal, though understood elsewhere. It carries a weight of historical certainty.

You might hear está comido o sal. Sometimes people just say é favas contadas for a similar meaning. However, sal comido feels more definitive and 'salty'. In some regions, people might just say está feito. But sal comido adds a bit of traditional flair. It makes you sound like a local who knows the old ways.