and where did it come from?!
2006-10-18 18:44:08 · 11 answers · asked by Fightoffyourdemons 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Doing something where there's no turning back.
"The expression is derived from the ancient military tactics that if one were to burn down a bridge after crossing it, one could not cross the bridge back to retreat."
2006-10-18 18:46:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
When a person would cross a bridge to escape an enemy they would burn the bridge behind them if they could, to insure that the enemy could not follow them.
Today, if someone leaves a situation in such a condition that they could never show their face again (like you quit your job and then tell your boss off) that is called burning a bridge, because you can never return.
I saw this happen to a friend once. He had a great job for a long time and them was moving to a different state and really made an a$$ of himself at the office. 6 months later he was back and couldn't find a decent job. Boy was he sorry he hadn't been nice and responsible and ended it nicely with his old job. He could have gone back and gotten his old spot back, no problem - but instead he thoroughly burned that bridge.
Peace!
2006-10-18 18:47:56 · answer #2 · answered by carole 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you lead an army into combat, you might burn the bridges behind you to prevent the enemy from following you across the river. However, if you do this, you will also cut off the route of your own retreat, if the battle should go against you. That is why it is said that you should not burn the bridges behind you. It means, you may go ahead with your plans, but leave your options open to go back if you need to.
2006-10-18 18:51:01 · answer #3 · answered by The First Dragon 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To say that you don't want to burn any bridges means that you don't want to leave a chapter of your life in a bad way incase you need to go there again. If they bridge burned behind you, you wouldn't be able to turn around and go back. For example, if you leave a job. Leave on good terms incase you need a reference or even to have your job back again. If you leave in a bad way, that bridge is burned and you couldn't go back. I think it's just a metaphore that was created by someone over time because it makes sense.
2006-10-18 18:47:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The phrase refers to the 60's women movement, in which women were demanding to have the same rights as men. The burning of the bras symbolized the ending of oppression from men and their ways of chaining down women.
2016-05-22 01:19:31 · answer #5 · answered by Megan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is self explanitory. It means to cut ties with things or people from your past which have a negative hold on you. If you burn your bridges, you move on.
2006-10-18 18:48:27 · answer #6 · answered by Claude 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you mistreat someone and when you need them they won't be there; hence if you burn up a bridge and soon have to turn around you will not be able to cross you will be stuck can't go forward and can't go back
2006-10-18 18:49:48 · answer #7 · answered by nobleone 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi - It means to piss of someone that you are likely to come into contact with later in life who won't forget what a little butt head you were.
How's that?
A
2006-10-18 18:45:47 · answer #8 · answered by Alan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
waste your resources,fritter away your chances
To eliminate the possibility of return or retreat.
2006-10-18 18:46:15 · answer #9 · answered by raj 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know where it came from, but it means you can never go back. What's done is done.
2006-10-18 18:46:23 · answer #10 · answered by kitty-mama 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋