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A Bridge Too Far

What is a bridge too far?

· Emily Grant

Key facts

Meaning A step or action that is too ambitious; an act of overreaching[2]
Meaning Something that is very difficult to achieve[4]
Origin The phrase comes from the title of *A Bridge Too Far*, a book about Operation Market Garden[1]
Historical context Operation Market Garden was a World War II Allied operation in the Netherlands[3]
Associated figure British Lieutenant General Frederick Browning is reported as the source of the phrase[5]

A bridge too far is an idiom meaning a step or action that is too ambitious, or an act of overreaching, often referring to something too difficult to achieve.

Context

The idiom 'a bridge too far' means a step or action that is too ambitious, or an act of overreaching [2]. It often refers to something too difficult to achieve [4]. The phrase originates from the title of *A Bridge Too Far*, a book about Operation Market Garden [1], a World War II Allied operation in the Netherlands [3]. British Lieutenant General Frederick Browning is reported as the source of the phrase [5]. In modern English, it is used metaphorically to describe an overambitious plan or attempt [3], and it warns against overreaching or going beyond one's abilities or resources [7]. The phrase is linked to the failure to capture the last bridge at Arnhem during Operation Market Garden [6].

Documented claims

  • The phrase is used metaphorically in modern English to describe an overambitious plan or attempt. [3]
  • It is used to warn against overreaching or going beyond one’s abilities or resources. [7]
  • It is linked to the failure to capture the last bridge at Arnhem during Operation Market Garden. [6]

Related

Bridge On The River KwaiBåda är kända filmer med broar i titeln och utspelar sig under krigstid.Bridge Of SpiesBåda är filmer med broar i titeln och har historisk/verklighetsbaserad handling.

Questions and answers

What does the expression 'a bridge too far' mean?

It means a step or action that is too ambitious, or an act of overreaching [2]. It often refers to something too difficult to achieve [4].

What is the true story behind A Bridge Too Far?

The phrase comes from the title of *A Bridge Too Far*, a book about Operation Market Garden [1], a World War II Allied operation in the Netherlands [3]. It is linked to the failure to capture the last bridge at Arnhem [6].

Sources

  1. A Bridge Too Far by Cornelius Ryan | Summary & Themes — study.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. "A Bridge Too Far" Meaning, Origin and Examples • 7ESL — 7esl.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  3. Bridge-too-far Definition — yourdictionary.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  4. What Does the Idiom — languagehumanities.org (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  5. Meaning of A bridge too far | Idioms & Phrases — redkiwiapp.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  6. A bridge too far - Idioms by The Free Dictionary — idioms.thefreedictionary.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  7. Leave a Comment Cancel Reply — bigenglishschool.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Entertainment