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1. Lit. to cutoff the way back to where you came from, making it impossible to retreat. The army, which had burned its bridges behind it, couldn't go back. By blowing up the road, the spies had burned their bridges behind them. 2. Fig. to act unpleasantly in a situation that you are leaving, ensuring that you'll never be welcome to return.
Oct 19, 2023 · Figurative Meaning. When someone “burns bridges,” they are taking actions that they cannot undo, often ruining relationships, opportunities, or paths that they might later regret severing. It signifies making decisions that prevent one from returning to a prior state or situation. Tracing Back the Origins of “Burning Bridges”
- Meaning
- Example Sentences
- Origin
remove someone’s all options of retreat, act decisivelya nasty act of permanently ending a relationship with someoneto act in a way that destroys any chance of returning to the way things wereto end a relationship in such a way that you could never go back and re-start the relationship againShe has already burned his bridgeswith his previous employer by publicly criticizing their marketing policy.I would need to be humble with her. I don’t want to burn my bridgeswith her.I think you just burned your bridgesby insulting your team leader in front of the team.Today, I told my boss what I think of him. I guess I burned my bridges.The idiom was originated in the late 1800s and is derived from the concept of burning down a bridge after crossing it throughout a military operation, leaving no option but to keep marching. In the olden times, during the war, soldiers would cross a waterbody and then burn the bridge or boats they had used to prevent retreat and halt the following ...
- A Bridge Too Far. Meaning: a goal or plan that is very ambitious. It is usually so ambitious that it is very difficult to accomplish. Use In A Sentence: The plan to learn Russia in 3 months proved to be a bridge too far for Mark.
- To Bridge Over Something. Meaning: used to describe something other than a bridge that serves the same function. Use In A Sentence: Let’s cross the river over here.
- To Build Bridges. Meaning: to improve relationships between an individual or a group of people. To promote friendships. Use In A Sentence: Despite a rocky start, Andrew is trying hard to build a bridge with his brother-in-law Luke.
- To Burn (One’s) Bridges. Meaning: to make a decision that you can’t undo in the future. It can also mean to remove the possibility of returning to something.
How to use this phrase. Career Advice: “Even if you’re unhappy in your current job and planning to quit, don’t burn your bridges with your employer. You might need a reference from them later.” Personal Relationships: “I know you’re upset with your friend, but try to resolve the issue calmly. Don’t burn your bridges over a single argument.”
Using it too casually. Misusing the context. Origins and Historical Context of the Idiom “burn one’s bridges” The idiom “burn one’s bridges” is a common expression used to describe a situation where someone has taken an action that makes it impossible to go back to a previous state or relationship.
