burned bridges
Ruined former relationships
Burned bridges refers to relationships, opportunities, or connections that have been permanently destroyed, usually through one's own actions.
The image comes from military strategy—burning a bridge behind you prevents retreat and commits you fully to advancing.
Someone who burns bridges alienates former allies or closes off options: She burned bridges at her old job by quitting without notice.
The phrase often carries a warning: Don't burn your bridges—you never know when you'll need those contacts again.
- severedCut off completely
- cut tiesEnd a relationship completely
- estrangedSeparated by emotional distance
- betrayalBreaking of trust
- bad bloodLasting hostile feelings
irreparable · point of no return · regret · went too far · scorched · up in smoke · abandoned · walking away · broken · trust · last straw · forgiveness · retreat · ashes · crossing · departure · finality · grudge
burned bridgesmended fences
Repaired strained relationships
built bridges · made amends · reconciled · buried the hatchet · networked
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