burn bridges
Destroy future options
To burn bridges is to take actions that make it impossible to return to a previous situation or relationship.
The image is of destroying your only path back—once burned, you can't retreat.
Usually applied to leaving jobs or relationships badly: Don't burn bridges with your old employer; you might need a reference.
Someone who burns bridges closes off options through hostility, carelessness, or finality.
- severCut apart completely
- cut tiesEnd a relationship completely
- tiesConnections or neckwear
- betrayalBreaking of trust
- bad bloodLasting hostile feelings
regret · finality · scorched · scorched earth · ashes · retreat · clean break · escape · grudge · cutoff · exile · departure · irreversible · point of no return · no turning back · gone for good · flames · crossing
- fire idiomsplay with fire, fight fire with fire, fan the flames, add fuel to fire, on fire
- idiomstime flies, hit the sack, seize the day, ring a bell, break a leg
- No turning backpoint of no return, Rubicon, all or nothing, crossed the line, committed
- power idiomspull strings, hold sway, call the shots, throw weight around, power play
- temperature idiomscold shoulder, hot head, in hot water, cold feet, hot under the collar
- proverbsproverbs, sayings, maxims, adages, aphorisms
burn bridgesmend fences
Restore strained relations
build bridges · bury the hatchet · make amends · patch things up · reconcile
burn bridgesleave the door open
Avoid finalizing a decision
hedge your bets · play it safe · cover your bases · plan ahead · tread carefully
burn, bridge, burns, burned, burning, burner, burnt, bridges, bridged