burn (one's) boats

(redirected from burn his boats)

burn (one's) boats

To do something that cannot be easily undone or reversed in the future. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. I think you burned your boats when you announced you were quitting and proceeded to insult your boss in front of the whole staff. She's young, so I don't think she realizes that she'll be burning her boats if she goes to work for their competitor.
See also: boat, burn

burn your boats (or bridges)

commit yourself irrevocably.
In a military campaign, burning your boats or bridges would make escape or retreat impossible.
See also: boat, burn
References in periodicals archive ?
Commodore Joshua Barney's gunboat flotilla up the Patuxent, forcing the American officer to burn his boats and retreat overland towards Washington.
The battle of Bladensburg and the burning of Washington: in late summer 1814, an overconfident force of U.S. regulars, militia and marines thought they would easily defeat the outnumbered British assault force on the outskirts of Washington; their confidence proved unfounded
He said he felt more for me than he's ever felt for anyone else, that if he ever settled down, it would be with me but he didn't want to "burn his boats" like a couple of his mates.
ask anna The answer to your problems
Renton screws over his mates precisely in order to burn his boats; he can never return to Edinburgh for fear of Begbie's retribution.
High society
Idioms browser ?
Full browser ?