bridge (redirected from bridgeable)

bridge over something

to make a bridge or passage over something. They bridged over each of the streams as they came to them. I think we can bridge over this little river in a few days if we work hard.

bridge the gap 

1. Lit. to make a bridge that reaches across a space. The engineers decided to bridge the gap with a wooden structure.

2. Fig. to do or create something that will serve temporarily. We can bridge the gap with a few temporary employees.

See also: gap

cross a bridge before one comes to it and cross that bridge before one comes to it

Fig. to worry excessively about something before it happens. (Note the variations in the examples. See also cross that bridge when one comes to it.) There is no sense in crossing that bridge before you come to it. She's always crossing bridges before coming to them. She needs to learn to relax.

See also: before, come, cross, one

cross that bridge when one comes to it

Fig. to delay worrying about something that might happen until it actually does happen. (Usually used in the phrase, "Let's cross that bridge when we come to it," a way of telling someone not to worry about something that has not happened yet. Alan: Where will we stop tonight? Jane: At the next town. Alan: What if all the hotels are full? Jane: Let's cross that bridge when we come to it.

See also: come, cross, one

water over the dam and water under the bridge

Fig. past and unchangeable events. Your quarrel with Lena is water over the dam; now you ought to concentrate on getting along with her. George and I were friends once, but that's all water under the bridge now.

See also: dam, water

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be like painting the Forth Bridge  (British)

if repairing or improving something is like painting the Forth Bridge, it takes such a long time that by the time you have finished doing it, you have to start again

Usage notes: The Forth Bridge is a very large bridge in Edinburgh.

Home improvements are a bit like painting the Forth Bridge. By the time you've finished the kitchen, the bathroom needs decorating and so it goes on.

See also: forth, like, painting

be water under the bridge  (British, American & Australian) also be water over the dam (American)

if a problem or an unpleasant situation is water under the bridge, it happened a long time ago and no one is upset about it now We certainly had our disagreements in the past, but that's all water under the bridge now.

See of the first water, could talk under water, blow out of the water, hold water, test the water, tread water

See also: water

I'll/We'll cross that bridge when I/we come to it.

something that you say in order to tell someone that you will not worry about a possible problem but will deal with it if it happens 'What if the flight is delayed?' 'I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.'

See cross fingers

See also: come, cross

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bridge the gap

to make a connection where there is a great difference He promises to change the tax laws to bridge the gap between the rich and poor.

Usage notes: often used with between, as in the example

See also: gap

cross that bridge when you come to it

to not worry about a possible problem until it becomes an actual problem I might need a lawyer, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

Usage notes: also used in the form cross the bridge or cross a bridge (to begin to deal with a problem): We crossed the bridge when we decided we needed to discuss these issues.

See also: come, cross

water under the bridge

something that has happened and cannot be changed I should probably have asked for more money when I was offered the job, but hey, that's water under the bridge now.

See also: water