2006-07-31 10:11:40 · 8 answers · asked by lookinforthruth 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Check this link: http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/21/messages/1093.html
As that site suggests, it's good advice for an army. If you burn the bridge you've just crossed to keep the enemy from using it, you may find you need it later on to escape.
In today's society, it means don't do anything you may regret later.
For example, when you leave a job, don't tell your boss what a lousy guy he was to work for (even if you think he was). You might need him for a reference later.
2006-07-31 10:26:04 · answer #1 · answered by johntadams3 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
don't burn your bridges is a term meaning that you don't want to do or say something that will cause you to lose what could be good for you in the future even though you may not see it right now. If you burn your bridges you will not have that thing or that person to fall back on. You should always leave a relationship or a job or something like that on a good note. You never know when you may need to cross that bridge again.
2006-07-31 10:17:10 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
On a recent trip to Italy I noticed there were many towers and asked the question why? I was told that during the decline of the Roman empire the rich were a afraid of the people killing them and looting their homes so they closed off all entrances to their homes and only way in was via a tower. They then built bridges between these towers to family and trusted friends homes. When there was a falling out of any relationship they would burn their bridge to that home and that was the origin of the phrase "Burning your bridges"
2016-12-30 11:22:39 · answer #3 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe it was originally a military expression. If you burn the bridges behind you as your army advances, you may be cutting off your avenue of retreat.
By analogy, when you leave someplace, most commonly a job, you want to leave on good terms, so that you will have friends or business connections from the former place.
2006-07-31 10:23:45 · answer #4 · answered by rollo_tomassi423 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I believe it came as a response to " I'll cross the bridge when I get there." It's suppose to be a warning against reckless actions where you trap your self in a situation that you don't have any choices but to do what is against your moral judgement. A great example is in the movie "Into the Blue".
2006-07-31 10:24:22 · answer #5 · answered by LaLaLolita 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
burning a bridge is severing a potential opportunity (anything from a relationship to a job situation) by saying or doing something that is unforgiveable. once you do something that burns a bridge you can never go back that way again.
2006-07-31 10:15:42 · answer #6 · answered by JimmieHendrix05 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The original saying was, "Don't burn your bridges before you cross them," and it meant don't cut off any opportunities before you've had a chance to check them out.
2006-07-31 12:50:32 · answer #7 · answered by old lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People who ask for too many favors and dont pay back....most popular meaning....Oh God!
2006-07-31 10:15:11 · answer #8 · answered by celine8388 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋