burn one's boats

Etymology

 * Perhaps in reference to, who gave the order to burn his own ships when he landed in Gibraltar, beginning the Islamic conquest of Spain in 711.
 * Perhaps in reference to, who gave the order to destroy his own ships (in reality, by sinking them) when he landed in Veracruz to begin his conquest in 1519.

Verb

 * 1) To cut oneself off from all chance of retreat; to stake everything on success.