burn one's boats en · VERB
Etymology
* 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.
Meanings
- (idiomatic) To cut oneself off from all chance of retreat; to stake everything on success.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| burned one's boats | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| burned one's boats | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| burnt one's boats | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| burnt one's boats | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| burns one's boats | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| burning one's boats | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic |