Meaning & use
burning bridges
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Meanings
phraseidiomfigurative
The act of destroying your relationships or future options, usually by leaving a job, group, or person in an angry or offensive way.
Grammar: Used as a noun phrase: it names the action, so you say 'Burning bridges is risky' or 'That was burning bridges.'
Patterns
- burning bridges with someone
- burning bridges behind you
- risk burning bridges
She quit by shouting at the whole team, which was pure burning bridges.
Leaving without any notice is a good way of burning bridges with your old boss.
He worried that speaking so honestly would mean burning bridges he might need later.
phraseidiomfigurative
Used in the phrase 'burn your bridges' to mean acting so badly that you can never return to a place or relationship.
Grammar: The full verb phrase is 'burn your bridges'; 'burning bridges' is its -ing form or noun use.
Patterns
- burn your bridges
- burn your bridges behind you
- burn bridges with someone
Don't burn your bridges — you may want to work here again one day.
After burning his bridges at the company, he found it hard to get references.
She burned her bridges with the club by criticizing the coach in public.
Common combinations
- burn your bridges
- Think carefully before you burn your bridges with that client.
- burning bridges behind you
- Moving abroad felt like burning bridges behind her.
- risk burning bridges
- If you complain publicly, you risk burning bridges.
- a way of burning bridges
- Refusing to train your replacement is a way of burning bridges.
- without burning bridges
- You can change careers without burning bridges.
Synonyms and how they differ
- alienating people
- Describes the effect on others rather than the deliberate act; 'burning bridges' stresses that you lose future help or chances.
- cutting ties
- Similar but more neutral and often planned; 'burning bridges' suggests anger or damage.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: burning bridges or building bridges?
burning bridges vs building bridges
The opposite idea: making relationships stronger instead of destroying them. 'Burning bridges' is negative; 'building bridges' is positive.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'burning bridges' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Burning bridges' means damaging relationships or future chances, so insulting people on your last day fits. The river example is literal fire on a bridge, and the other two describe helpful, positive actions.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “burning bridges”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.