burn one's boats

English

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium. Particularly: “Which is the true origin? Need sources.”)

• Perhaps in reference to Tariq Ibn Ziyad, who gave the order to burn his own ships when he landed in Gibraltar, beginning the Islamic conquest of Spain in 711.
• Perhaps in reference to Hernán Cortés, who gave the order to destroy his own ships (in reality, by sinking them) when he landed in Veracruz to begin his conquest in 1519.

Verb

burn one's boats (third-person singular simple present burns one's boats, present participle burning one's boats, simple past and past participle burned one's boats or burnt one's boats)

1. To cut oneself off from all chance of retreat; to stake everything on success.

See also

• burn one's bridges
• damn the torpedoes
• go for broke