Chinese idiom · 成语
破釜沉舟
Meaning
To break cauldrons and sink boats; to commit fully with no retreat.
Character by character
Origin and story
Historical accountShiji (史記), volume 7, recounts Xiang Yu bringing his full force across the river to relieve Julu. He then sinks the boats, breaks the cooking vessels, burns the shelters, and keeps only three days’ provisions. The text explicitly presents these acts as a demonstration that the soldiers must fight without thinking of returning.
It goes on to describe repeated engagements, the disruption of Qin’s supply route, and a major victory. The idiom condenses the dramatic removal of retreat and support into a metaphor for irrevocable commitment. It celebrates determination in usage, but the story does not establish that destroying every fallback is always a sound strategy.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
她决定不再报名其他项目，以破釜沉舟的决心准备这次选拔。
She decided not to enter other programs and committed herself completely to preparing for this selection.
Stresses commitment without retreat; stronger than simply working hard.