Burn that bridge behind you when you cross it ... "
Napoleon Bonaparte
Liliputins. What, the heck, is this?
http://stihi.ru/2021/11/24/7101
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The phrase "burn the bridges" means to commit oneself to an irreversible course of action, without possibility of backing down. The expression comes from ancient military history, when soldiers crossing a river literally burned the bridge or boats they had used in order to cut off the possibility of retreat. Burning bridges means severing ties with a person, group, or organization, ending the relationship with a fight or argument, destroying a chance of reconciling the relationship, and preventing any possibility of the other entity or person contacting you again. Burning bridges ensures that you don’t return to the same situation that has been draining for you in the past, emotionally, mentally and physically.
burn bridges
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burn (one's) bridges
1. Literally, to destroy a bridge or path behind oneself, so that others cannot follow. This usage is often related to military action.
When the troops retreated from the area, they were sure to burn their bridges behind them.
2. To do something that cannot be easily undone or reversed in the future (often because one has behaved offensively or unfavorably).
I think you really burned your bridges when you announced you were quitting and proceeded to insult your boss in front of the whole staff.
She's young, so I don't think she realizes that she'll be burning her bridges if she goes to work for their competitor.
See also: bridge, burn
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
burn one's bridges (behind one)
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. If you get mad and quit your job, you'll be burning your bridges behind you. No sense burning your bridges. Be polite and leave quietly.
3. Fig. to make decisions that cannot be changed in the future. If you drop out of school now, you'll be burning your bridges behind you. You're too young to burn your bridges that way.
See also: bridge, burn
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
burn (one's) bridges
To eliminate the possibility of return or retreat.
See also: bridge, burn
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
burn one's bridges/boats, to
To commit oneself to an irreversible course of action, without possibility of backing down. The expression comes from ancient military history, when soldiers crossing a river literally burned the bridge or boats they had used in order to cut off the possibility of retreat. A clich; by the nineteenth century, the expression has invited a number of humorous twists, such as “Never burn your bridges till you come to them” (Stanley Walker, 1941). See also cross the Rubicon.
See also: bridge, burn, to
The Dictionary of Clich;s by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer
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Cross that bridge when you come to it
is an idiom that means to not worry about a possible problem until it actually happens.
I'll/we'll cross that bridge when I/we come/get to it
idiom
an expression that means you will not worry about a possible future problem but will deal with it if it happens
SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases:
Planning, expecting and arranging accidentally or on purpose
idiom
aim at something, bargain, have something in mind
idiom
have something up your sleeve
idiom
horizon scanning how are you fixed for something?
idiom
I might have known
idiom
pencil providently provision, purpose, purposefully, purposely put their heads together
idiom
settle sleeve