The phrase 'burn bridges' refers to the act of intentionally damaging relationships with others, making it difficult or impossible to reconcile in the future. There are various synonyms for the phrase 'burn bridges,' including 'cut off ties,' 'sever connections,' 'break off relations,' 'end communication,' 'destroy trust,' 'alienate,' 'estranged,' 'separate,' 'isolate,' and 'disengage.' These synonyms depict the grave consequences of burning bridges, which can lead to professional and personal ramifications that can be hard to recover from. It is crucial to think before taking actions that could burn bridges with others and consider the long-term effects of such actions.