burn bridges

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "burn bridges" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to the act of ending relationships in a way that makes it difficult or impossible to repair them. For example: "He burned bridges with his former colleagues and now has no support in his new job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

You don't burn bridges.

The New Yorker

"He does not burn bridges.

The New York Times

They'll burn bridges they can never rebuild".

The Guardian

(One executive: "He didn't burn bridges here. He napalmed them").

The New Yorker

Beware of these seven sites where your employees can burn bridges after leaving you.

The New York Times

He was still able to burn bridges and then cross them.

The New Yorker

It doesn't burn bridges with her major label — just the opposite.

The New York Times - Arts

"I don't burn bridges, I burn rivers," Olbermann proudly told David Letterman about his incendiary departure from ESPN.

The New York Times - Magazine

It has adopted a strategy driven by blind partisanship, electing to burn bridges instead of building them.

The New York Times

He does not burn bridges, work out or go to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings (an anomaly in Los Angeles).

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Don't burn any bridges".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the long-term implications before acting in a way that might "burn bridges". Maintaining professional connections, even with those you disagree with, can be beneficial in the future.

Common error

Avoid using "burn bridges" lightly for minor disagreements. The phrase implies a significant and potentially irreparable severing of a relationship, not just a temporary disagreement.

How to use

Learn how to use "burn bridges" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic phrase "burn bridges" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of damaging or destroying relationships. It is often used to express concern or disapproval of actions that might lead to permanent rifts. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "burn bridges" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe actions that damage or destroy relationships. As Ludwig confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it's generally considered a neutral expression, it carries a cautionary tone, advising against actions that can have long-term negative consequences. To avoid misusing the phrase, remember that it signifies a significant and potentially irreparable severing of ties, not just a minor disagreement. Consider alternatives like "sever ties" or "damage relationships" if the situation doesn't warrant such a strong term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sever ties

Implies a formal or definitive ending of a relationship or connection.

cut off contact

Focuses on ceasing communication, potentially leaving the possibility of reconciliation open.

alienate colleagues

Refers specifically to creating distance or hostility with professional peers.

sour relations

Suggests a decline in the quality of relationships, making them unpleasant or difficult.

damage relationships

Suggests harm to a relationship without necessarily ending it completely.

make enemies

Directly indicates the creation of adversaries.

poison the well

Implies creating a negative environment that makes future interactions difficult or impossible.

sabotage connections

Implies deliberately undermining or destroying professional links.

antagonize people

Focuses on actively creating enemies through hostile behavior.

ruin prospects

Focuses on actions that negatively affect future opportunities or advancements.

FAQs

How to use "burn bridges" in a sentence?

You can use "burn bridges" to describe actions that damage or destroy relationships, such as "He decided to "burn bridges" with his former employer by publicly criticizing their business practices".

What does it mean to "burn bridges"?

To "burn bridges" means to irreparably damage or destroy relationships, making it difficult or impossible to maintain connections or seek future collaborations.

Which is correct, "burn bridges" or "burning bridges"?

Both "burn bridges" and "burning bridges" are correct, but they function differently. "Burn bridges" is the base form of the idiom, while "burning bridges" is the present participle form, often used in continuous tenses, such as "He is burning bridges with his behavior".

What can I say instead of "burn bridges"?

You can use alternatives like "sever ties", "cut off contact", or "damage relationships" depending on the context.