Burn your bridges
phrase
To do something that makes it impossible to return to the previous situation.
By quitting his job and moving abroad, he has burnt his bridges and cannot return to his old life.
Often appears as...
- you've burned your bridges
- don't burn your bridges
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To destroy or damage something that is useful or helpful to you.
By insulting his boss, he has burnt his bridges at work and it is likely he will be fired.
Often appears as...
- he burnt his bridges at work
- she burnt her bridges with her family
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To do something that makes it impossible to return to the previous situation.
By quitting his job and moving abroad, he has burnt his bridges and cannot return to his old life.
Often appears as...
- you've burned your bridges
- don't burn your bridges
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To destroy or damage something that is useful or helpful to you.
By insulting his boss, he has burnt his bridges at work and it is likely he will be fired.
Often appears as...
- he burnt his bridges at work
- she burnt her bridges with her family
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3No Turning Back
Used when you make a life changing decision without a way to reverse it.
After selling all her possessions to travel the world, she had burned her bridges.
Pro Tip 2/3Irreversible Actions
Highlights actions that prevent returning to a prior state, often after a bold move.
He refused the final offer and burned his bridges with the company.
Pro Tip 3/3Final Decisions
Stresses that the phrase refers to decisions from which there is no recourse.
Joining a rival sports team, she knew she had burned her bridges with her old teammates.
Pro Tip 1/3No Turning Back
Used when you make a life changing decision without a way to reverse it.
After selling all her possessions to travel the world, she had burned her bridges.
Pro Tip 2/3Irreversible Actions
Highlights actions that prevent returning to a prior state, often after a bold move.
He refused the final offer and burned his bridges with the company.
Pro Tip 3/3Final Decisions
Stresses that the phrase refers to decisions from which there is no recourse.
Joining a rival sports team, she knew she had burned her bridges with her old teammates.
Pro Tip 1/3No Turning Back
Used when you make a life changing decision without a way to reverse it.
After selling all her possessions to travel the world, she had burned her bridges.
Pro Tip 2/3Irreversible Actions
Highlights actions that prevent returning to a prior state, often after a bold move.
He refused the final offer and burned his bridges with the company.
Pro Tip 3/3Final Decisions
Stresses that the phrase refers to decisions from which there is no recourse.
Joining a rival sports team, she knew she had burned her bridges with her old teammates.
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