English · Work & Business
burn your bridges
/bɜːn jɔː ˈbrɪdʒ.ɪz/
[/bɜːn jɔː ˈbrɪdʒ.ɪz/]
destroy relationships
Intermediatephrase
Definition
To do something that makes it impossible to return to a previous situation or relationship.
Example
Resigning angrily might feel satisfying, but try not to burn your bridges with former colleagues.
Resigning angrily might feel satisfying, but try not to burn your bridges with former colleagues.
Etymology
From military strategy, where an army burned bridges behind it to prevent retreat.
How & Where It’s Used
Common for warning against severing relationships permanently.