burn bridges
/bɜːrn ˈbrɪdʒɪz/
Meaning
This expression means to act in a way that destroys a relationship, path, or opportunity permanently, making it impossible to return to a previous state. It is most commonly used in professional contexts when someone leaves a job on bad terms, or in personal relationships after a final, dramatic argument. The tone is usually cautionary, warning someone not to ruin their future options.
Examples
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Even if you hate your job, try not to burn bridges when you quit; you might need a reference later.
Even if you hate your job, try not to burn bridges when you quit; you might need a reference later.
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She really burned her bridges by insulting the manager on her last day.
She really burned her bridges by insulting the manager on her last day.
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I don't want to burn any bridges, so I'll send a polite email declining their offer.
I don't want to burn any bridges, so I'll send a polite email declining their offer.
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He burned his bridges with his old friends when he started gossiping about them.
He burned his bridges with his old friends when he started gossiping about them.
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Be careful how you handle this disagreement; you don't want to burn your bridges.
Be careful how you handle this disagreement; you don't want to burn your bridges.
Common Mistakes
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✗ I don't want to burn my bridges to this company.
✓ I don't want to burn my bridges with this company.
We burn bridges 'with' a person or organization, not 'to' them.
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✗ She burned the bridge with her ex-boss.
✓ She burned her bridges with her ex-boss.
The idiom is almost always plural ('bridges') and usually uses a possessive pronoun like 'her' or 'his' instead of 'the'.
Related Expressions
Practice
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It's never a good idea to ___ when leaving a job, as the industry is smaller than you think.
💡 To destroy professional relationships permanently
Show answer
burn bridges
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He decided to send a polite resignation letter because he didn't want to ___.
💡 To ruin future opportunities with his current employer
Show answer
burn bridges