burning bridges

VERB

eliminate possibility of return

Synonyms

WEAK

burn one's boats go for broke kick down the ladder nail one's colors to the mast

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“You’re leaving a lot on the table and burning bridges in the process.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025

White said he's not sure he should be burning bridges at what is this critical point in his career but he doesn't regret it.

From Salon • Nov. 8, 2023

But Seoul has been reluctant to do so, for fear of burning bridges with Russia.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2023

“Instead of burning bridges and getting upset, we decided to keep working hard and take the next step, which was to get a manager,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 8, 2021

I was also worried, like his friends in Los Angeles, that he was being impulsive and burning bridges without good reason.

From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden