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= the die was cast, the die had been cast

Ex. By the time Americans learned they'd been had, the die was cast -- we were committed to 58,000 dead!.

Ex. The die had been cast, and the tides of war were gradually turning in our favour.

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= the die was cast, the die had been cast

Ex: By the time Americans learned they'd been had, the die was cast -- we were committed to 58,000 dead!.

Ex: The die had been cast, and the tides of war were gradually turning in our favour.