Definition
破釜沉舟 is a four-character idiom from a famous story about the general Xiang Yu, who ordered his troops to smash their cooking pots and sink their boats before battle to show there was no turning back. It means to commit yourself completely to a course of action, cutting off all options for retreat — equivalent to 'burning one's bridges' or 'going all in'. You can use it in business, personal decisions, or any situation where you make an irreversible commitment to succeed.
id.
to burn one's bridgesto commit irrevocablyto go all in with no way back
Examples
- 破釜沉舟，。Gōngsī juédìng pò fǔ chén zhōu, quánlì kāifā xīn chǎnpǐn.The company decided to burn its bridges and go all-in on developing a new product.
- 破釜沉舟，。Tā pò fǔ chén zhōu, cí diào le wěndìng de gōngzuò qù chuàngyè.He burned his bridges, quitting his stable job to start a business.
- 破釜沉舟，。Qiúduì zài zuìhòu wǔ fēnzhōng pò fǔ chén zhōu, quánlì jìngōng.The team burned its bridges in the last five minutes and attacked with full force.
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