a bridge too far
A step or action that is too ambitious; an act of overreaching.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Asking for a pay raise now is a bridge too far.”
“Running a full marathon without any training is a bridge too far.”
“Buying a luxury car on your current salary is a bridge too far.”
“The manager wanted us to finish the project in two days, but that was a bridge too far for the team.”
“I can handle the extra chores at home, but asking me to paint the entire garage this weekend is a bridge too far.”
“The director likes bold ideas, but changing the entire script the night before the play starts is a bridge too far.”
“While the company hoped to expand into three new countries simultaneously, the board eventually concluded that such rapid growth was a bridge too far.”
first recorded 20th c.
In reference to Operation Market Garden, Allied airborne military operation of 1944. General Roy E. Urquhart, in his 1958 memoir Arnhem, ascribed the phrase to general Frederick “Boy” Browning. It was popularized by being chosen as the title of Cornelius Ryan’s 1974 book on Operation Market Garden and the subsequent 1977 epic war film.
- 01
as far as one knows
To the best of one's knowledge, as far as someone knows or possible information to be gathered about the topic, subject, aspect, or situation.
- 02
bridge over troubled waters
Someone or something that provides support, comfort, and a means to overcome difficult times.
- 03
bridge the gap
To serve as or create a connection between disconnected or disparate things.
- 04
burn that bridge when one comes to it
To anticipate dealing with a problem or situation either by acting in a manner that alienates or cuts ties with others, or merely with the expectation of encountering trouble.
- 05
cross that bridge when one comes to it
To deal with a problem or situation only if and when it arises.
- 06
far and away
By a large degree or margin; greatly (used before comparative and superlative adjectives).
- 07
far be it
A disclaimer stating that something should not come to pass, or that a person would never do or think a certain thing.
- 08
far cry
A long distance, in terms of dissimilarity or difference.
Last updated August 10, 2026