All phrases › burn your bridges
What does “burn your bridges” mean?
Meaning, example sentence and a quick practice question.
C1
To damage a relationship or opportunity so badly it can't be repaired
“Try not to burn your bridges when you leave a job.”
Say it smoothly: “burn-yer-bridges”
From the C1 lesson On the Fence (decision idioms).
Quick check
What does “burn your bridges” mean?
Teaching this phrase?“burn your bridges” is part of a ready-to-teach lesson, with a reading, three exercises, speaking tasks and an answer key, in Everyday English Chunks C1 Pack 4 (Communication, Decisions and Habits).
See the C1 lesson pack
See the C1 lesson pack
Or get all 32 lessons in the complete C1 course and save 25%.
Want to use phrases like this with confidence?Practice them in a one-to-one lesson with me, an experienced online English teacher.
Book a lesson
Book a lesson
Related phrases
- sit on the fenceto avoid choosing a side or making a decision
- jump the gunto act too soon, before the right moment
- cross that bridge when you come to itto deal with a problem only when it actually happens, not before
- the lesser of two evilsthe less bad of two unpleasant options
- have a change of heartto change your mind or feelings about a decision
- think twice about somethingto reconsider something carefully before doing it
- err on the side of cautionto choose the safer option when unsure
- take the road less traveledto choose an unconventional path rather than the usual one
- second-guess yourselfto doubt a decision you've already made