Basic Information

Chinese Idiom: 破釜沉舟
Pinyin: pò fǔ chén zhōu
Literal Meaning: Smash cooking pots and sink sailing boats.
Figurative Meaning: Fight a decisive battle with no retreat. It also means making a firm resolution to carry things through regardless of difficulties.

Cultural Background

Derived from a well-known ancient military story – Xiang Yu’s Gamble at Julu.

This idiom embodies fearless determination and courage. It depicts cutting off all escape routes to push oneself forward and strive for final victory.

Origin & Translation

From Records of the Grand Historian · Biographical Sketch of Xiang Yu

Xiang Yu led all his troops across the river. He ordered all boats sunk, cooking utensils broken and camps burned. Soldiers only carried food for three days. This move showed every soldier must fight to the death with no thought of turning back.

Usage

A positive idiom, used to describe people with unwavering resolve who devote themselves fully to accomplishing goals.

Today, “破釜沉舟” describes a situation where someone commits fully to a goal, eliminating all options for retreat. It is similar to the Western idiom “burning one’s bridges” or “crossing the Rubicon.” For example:

“He quit his stable job and invested all his savings in his new business — truly a ‘break the cauldrons and sink the boats’ decision.”