Are you through with dealing with someone? If you never want to see them again, you could ‘burn bridges’ and walk away from the relationship. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The expression ‘burn bridges’ means you’re severing ties with a person, group, or organization. You end the relationship with a fight or argument, destroying a chance of reconciling the relationship. You prevent any possibility of the other entity or person contacting you again.
Example Usage
“My dad told me never to burn bridges. He said you never know where life takes you and when you might need that relationship.”
“I burn bridges with people that do wrong against me. I don’t deal with friends that claim they have your back but are never around when you need them.”
“I don’t care if I never speak to you again. I’m burning bridges and don’t want you to contact my family or me.”
“Burning bridges is always a bad move. Just walk away and don’t speak to the other person again. There’s no reason to conflagrate the situation into a nasty turn of events.”
“You’ll find that when you burn bridges, you usually regret it a few months later. If you don’t, you might have sociopathic tendencies.”
“I’m burning bridges with him. I’m tired of the way he treats everyone else. It’s like he only cares about himself. I’m done with that guy.”
“Are you going to burn bridges with the company? You might regret it when your next employer calls the company for a reference.”
“Sure, you can burn bridges, but where does that get you? There’s really no point to it, just walk away from the relationship and don’t look back.”
“Wow, she really went all out to burn bridges with me. She chewed me out over the phone and said she never wants to see me again.”
Origin
The expression 'burn bridges' originates from the late 19th century. It derives from the concept of burning a bridge during a military operation to prevent armed forces from crossing it.
During wartimes, soldiers would cross a bridge and burn it to prevent retreat. Essentially, it's an obligation to take a specific action that makes an alternative route impossible for the enemy.
The original version of the saying is 'burn one's boats,' which has the same meaning. Language experts are unsure when 'burn bridges' replaced 'burn boats.'
The first record of the saying was in 711 AD when the Muslim army invaded the Iberian Peninsula. Tariq bin Ziyad ordered troops to burn the boats.
Phrases Similar to Burn Bridges
- Burn boats.
- Burn one’s bridges.
- Never burn bridge
- Burn a bridge.
- Write someone off.
Phrases Opposite to Burn Bridges
- Cultivating relationships.
What is the Correct Saying?
- Burn bridges.
- Burn one’s bridges.
- Burn a bridge.
Ways People May Say Burn Bridges Incorrectly
The phrase has nothing to do with the physical action of burning a bridge. The ‘bridge’ describes a relationship, and you're ending it by setting it on fire. Burning refers to severing ties, not physically burning someone. Using the phrase to describe arson is incorrect.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Burn Bridges
You can use the expression ‘burn bridges’ when describing destroying relationships. The bridge is the relationship, and by ‘burning’ it, you ensure that you never see or speak to that person again. Essentially, you’re severing ties with them and never want to hear from them again.
The phrase suits social and professional use, and you can use it to tell people to think about the consequences of burning bridges or the act of ending the relationship. The phrase is suitable to describe all relationships.
You could use it to describe friendships, partnerships, business, or lovers. Use it to explain leaving a job with the intention of never returning to the industry. Use it to describe burning bridges with old friends that do something bad against you.