Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

burn one's bridges

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.82 in modern English

Syllables
burn one's bridges
IPA
21
Scrabble Score
15
Letters
1
Syllables
10
Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To destroy one's path, connections, reputation, opportunities, etc., particularly intentionally.

Example Sentences

Etymology

Originally in the military sense of intentionally cutting off one's own retreat (burning a bridge one has crossed) to commit oneself to a course of action, later used primarily to mean alienate former friends.

Inflected Forms

burns one's bridges (present, singular) burning one's bridges (participle, present) burned one's bridges (participle, past) burned one's bridges (past) burnt one's bridges (participle, past) burnt one's bridges (past)

Phrases

burn that bridge when one comes to it bridge-burner bridge-burning build bridges burn one's boats point of no return

Frequently Paired Words

bridge-burner bridge-burning build bridges burn one's boats point of no return

Synonyms

cross the Rubicon

Questions

What does burn one's bridges mean?
To destroy one's path, connections, reputation, opportunities, etc., particularly intentionally.
Where does burn one's bridges come from?
Originally in the military sense of intentionally cutting off one's own retreat (burning a bridge one has crossed) to commit oneself to a course of action, later used primarily to mean alienate former friends.

How to pronounce burn one's bridges

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “burn one's bridges”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “burn one's bridges”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “burn one's bridges” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.