English grammar
Idioms of risk: burn your boats, there's no going back, take the plunge, stick your neck out, better the devil you know
Talk about risks, bold moves and caution with idioms.
From the scene Burning your boats
In short
Talk about risk with whole idioms: burn your boats, take the plunge, stick your neck out, better the devil you know.
Your turn
Which one goes with no way to undo it?
Options: there's no going back · burning your boats · take the plunge
Show answer
no way to undo it → there's no going back
How it works
To burn your boats, or your bridges, is to make a move you cannot undo; after that, there's no going back.
Good to know
To take the plunge is to finally do something bold you have been putting off. To stick your neck out is to take a risk that others would avoid.
Good to know
The cautious reply is the saying better the devil you know than the devil you don't.
a move you can't undo burning your boats
Javi
That's what they call burning your boats.
Eso se llama quemar las naves.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
That's what they call (blank).
Options: burning your boats · there's no going back · take the plunge
Show answer
Javi
That's what they call burning your boats.
Eso se llama quemar las naves.
no way to undo it there's no going back
Nuria
Too late, Don Ramón. I've handed in the letter. There's no going back.
Ya es tarde, Don Ramón. He entregado la carta. No hay vuelta atrás.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Too late, Don Ramón. I've handed in the letter. (blank).
Options: There's no going back · Burning your boats · Take the plunge
Show answer
Nuria
Too late, Don Ramón. I've handed in the letter. There's no going back.
Ya es tarde, Don Ramón. He entregado la carta. No hay vuelta atrás.
finally doing it take the plunge
Nuria
I know. But sometimes you have to take the plunge.
Ya lo sé. Pero a veces hay que tirarse a la piscina.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
I know. But sometimes you have to (blank).
Options: burning your boats · there's no going back · take the plunge
Show answer
Nuria
I know. But sometimes you have to take the plunge.
Ya lo sé. Pero a veces hay que tirarse a la piscina.
taking a big risk you're sticking your neck out
Ramón
Your boats and your steady salary. You're sticking your neck out, Nuria.
Las naves y el sueldo fijo. Te la estás jugando, Nuria.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Your boats and your steady salary. (blank), Nuria.
Options: Burning your boats · There's no going back · You're sticking your neck out
Show answer
Ramón
Your boats and your steady salary. You're sticking your neck out, Nuria.
Las naves y el sueldo fijo. Te la estás jugando, Nuria.
stay with what you know better the devil you know
Ramón
Cheers, cheers. But better the devil you know than the devil you don't.
Brindo, brindo. Pero más vale lo malo conocido que lo bueno por conocer.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Cheers, cheers. But (blank) than the devil you don't.
Options: there's no going back · better the devil you know · burning your boats
Show answer
Ramón
Cheers, cheers. But better the devil you know than the devil you don't.
Brindo, brindo. Pero más vale lo malo conocido que lo bueno por conocer.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| a move you can't undo | burning your boats |
|---|---|
| no way to undo it | there's no going back |
| finally doing it | take the plunge |
| taking a big risk | you're sticking your neck out |
| stay with what you know | better the devil you know |
More lines from the story
- RamónInto the pool, yes... but checking first that there's water in it.A la piscina, sí... pero mirando antes si tiene agua.