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Phrase(s): burn one’s bridges (behind one)
1. Lit. to cut off the way back to where you came from, making it impossible to retreat. • The army, which had burned its bridges behind it, couldn’t go back. • By blowing up the road, the spies had burned their bridges behind them. 2. Fig. to act unpleasantly in a situation that you are leaving, ensuring that you’ll never be welcome to return. • If you get mad and quit your job, you’ll be burning your bridges behind you. • No sense burning your bridges. Be polite and leave quietly. 3. Fig. to make decisions that cannot be changed in the future. • If you drop out of school now, you’ll be burning your bridges behind you. • You’re too young to burn your bridges that way.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs