Burn bridges

Meaning

The idiom "burn bridges" means to cut off or destroy a path or opportunity that could be used later, often by taking reckless or hasty actions. It refers to the idea of sabotaging one's own future prospects or relationships in order to gain immediate satisfaction.

Usage

• "I don't like to burn bridges with my colleagues, so I always make sure to say goodbye and leave on a positive note." - This usage emphasizes the importance of maintaining relationships even when leaving a job.
• "I burned all my bridges by quitting my job without having another one lined up." - This usage highlights the potential consequences of cutting off opportunities in the future.
• "When I found out that my friend had cheated on me, I decided to burn all bridges and cut off all communication with them." - This usage shows how the idiom can be used to sever relationships quickly and decisively.
• "I burned all my bridges by making a hasty investment that turned out to be a disaster." - This usage emphasizes the risks of taking impulsive actions that could harm one's financial future.
• "I like to avoid burning bridges with my family, even when we have disagreements." - This usage shows how the idiom can be used as a cautionary tale to avoid damaging relationships unnecessarily.

Roots and History

The origins of the idiom are uncertain, but it is believed to have originated in ancient Rome. According to legend, a Roman general named Decimus Maximus was leading his army through enemy territory when he came across a river with no bridge. He ordered his soldiers to build one quickly so they could cross and engage the enemy. However, as soon as they had built the bridge, the enemy crossed it and destroyed it before the Romans could use it again. The idiom "burn bridges" is thought to have originated from this story as a way to describe reckless or hasty actions that can lead to negative consequences in the future.

Synonyms in English

• Cut off a path/opportunity
• Sabotage one's own prospects
• Take reckless actions
• Destroy a relationship
• Make hasty decisions

Synonyms in other languages

• French: "mettre le feu à un pont" - This idiom means to burn a bridge, but is used more commonly to describe the act of destroying or sabotaging something intentionally.
• Spanish: "quemar puentes" - This idiom has the same meaning as the English idiom and is often used to describe hasty actions that can harm one's own future prospects.
• German: "die Brücke zerstören" - This idiom means to destroy a bridge, but can also be used more broadly to describe any action that blocks or destroys an opportunity in the future.
• Italian: "distruggere una porta d'uscita" - This idiom means to destroy a door or exit, but is often used metaphorically to describe any action that limits one's options in the future.
• Arabic: "قطع الراحلة" - This idiom means to cut off a path or opportunity and is often used to describe hasty actions that can harm one's own prospects in the future.

Similar Idioms

• barking dogs seldom bite

• balancing act

• as thick as thieves