How do you use "Burn one's bridges" in a sentence?

Don't burn your bridges—you might need their help again. He burned his bridges when he told the boss what he really thought. I'm not burning any bridges; I'll leave on good terms.

Burn one's bridges

Q: What does "Burn one's bridges" mean?

To do something that makes it impossible to go back To take an irreversible action, especially one that damages relationships or closes off options. Often used as a warning against destroying connections you might need later.

Slang Term AmericanBritishAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Meaning: To do something that makes it impossible to go back

做出无法挽回的事情

Hacer algo que impide volver atrás

後戻りできないことをする

돌아갈 수 없게 만드는 행동을 하다

To take an irreversible action, especially one that damages relationships or closes off options. Often used as a warning against destroying connections you might need later.

采取不可逆转的行动，特别是损害人际关系或断绝退路的行为。常用作警告，劝人不要毁掉将来可能需要的人脉关系。

Tomar una acción irreversible, especialmente una que daña relaciones o cierra opciones. Se usa a menudo como advertencia contra destruir conexiones que podrías necesitar más adelante.

取り返しのつかない行動をとること、特に人間関係を壊したり選択肢を閉ざしたりすること。後で必要になるかもしれないつながりを壊すことへの警告としてよく使われる。

되돌릴 수 없는 행동을 취하는 것으로, 특히 관계를 손상시키거나 선택지를 차단하는 행위를 말한다. 나중에 필요할 수 있는 인맥을 망치지 말라는 경고로 자주 사용된다.

Examples

Don't burn your bridges—you might need their help again.
别自断后路——你可能还需要他们的帮助
No quemes tus naves, quizá vuelvas a necesitar su ayuda
橋を焼くな——また助けが必要になるかもしれない
다리를 불태우지 마—나중에 다시 도움이 필요할 수도 있어.
He burned his bridges when he told the boss what he really thought.
他跟老板说了真心话，把后路都断了
Se quemó las naves cuando le dijo al jefe lo que realmente pensaba
上司に本音を言った時、彼は後戻りできなくなった
상사에게 속마음을 말했을 때, 그는 돌이킬 수 없게 됐다.
I'm not burning any bridges; I'll leave on good terms.
我不会把关系搞僵；我会好聚好散的
No voy a quemar ningún puente; me iré en buenos términos
関係は壊さない。円満に去るつもりだ
관계를 끊지 않을 거야. 원만하게 떠날 생각이다.

Pronunciation

/bɜːn wʌnz ˈbrɪdʒɪz/

Usage Guide

Context: relationships, career, decisions

Tone: cautionary, warning

✓ Do Say

Don't burn your bridges
别自断后路
No quemes tus naves
後戻りできなくなるようなことはするな
다리를 불태우지 마
I'm not burning any bridges
我不会把关系搞僵
No voy a quemar ningún puente
関係は壊さない
관계를 끊지 않겠다

✗ Don't Say

Usually used as a warning
通常用作警告
Se usa normalmente como advertencia
通常は警告として使われる
보통 경고의 의미로 사용됨

Common Mistakes

None—very clear metaphor

Origin & History

Military origin from ancient times. Armies would sometimes burn bridges behind them to prevent retreat, forcing commitment to the attack. Caesar reportedly did this crossing the Rubicon.

Etymology: From military tactic of destroying retreat route

First recorded: Military concept, idiom from 19th century

Cultural Context

Era: 19th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Career advice; Relationship discussions

Regional notes: Universal. British also say 'burn one's boats.'

Variations

Burn bridgesBurn one's bridgesBurning bridges