To destroy one's path, connections, reputation, opportunities, etc.

Etymology:

  • Originally in military sense of intentionally cutting off one's own retreat to commit oneself to a course of action, later used primarily to mean “alienate former friends”.
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Even if you are dismissed from a job in the worst way, take care to not burn your bridges with unseemly comments on the way out, since you never know who you will meet again.

Submitted on September 01, 2009

Translation

Find a translation for the burn one's bridges phrase in other languages:

brenne die brücken

brûler ses ponts

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    "burn one's bridges." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/burn-ones-bridges_2664>.

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