破釜沉舟

pòfǔchénzhōu

idiom #39,568

Meanings

1 to smash the cauldrons and sink the boats
2 to cut off one's own retreat
3 to burn one's bridges

Characters

to break, smash

cauldron, cooking pot

Examples

他破釜沉舟，辞职创业。

Tā pòfǔ chénzhōu, cízhí chuàngyè.

He burned his bridges — quit his job to start a business.

这场比赛我们必须破釜沉舟。

Zhè chǎng bǐsài wǒmen bìxū pòfǔ chénzhōu.

For this match we must commit with no way back.

Tips

history

From 《史记·项羽本纪》 — after crossing the Yellow River, Xiang Yu sank his boats, smashed the cooking pots, and burned the camp, leaving his troops three days' rations. No retreat, no leftovers — fight or die. They won.

Stroke Order

破 pò

釜 fǔ

沉 chén

舟 zhōu