Burn your bridges

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Meaning

To cut off all retreat or ties, leaving no way back.

Origin

From ancient warfare-Romans burned bridges to trap foes or force advance, English by 1605 in Bacon's essays for resolve. By 1890s slang, it hit personal breaks, as in an 1892 'Times' on a quit job.

Variants

  • Burn the bridges

Usage Examples

  • He burned his bridges quitting with that rant.
  • She burned her bridges leaving town for good.
  • Burn your bridges here; you won't return.

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