burn one’s boat when one has crossed the river—swear that one will not return if one does not win;show one’s determination to fight to the last ❍ 秦伯伐晋，～，取王官，及郊。(《左传·文三年》434) The earl of Qin invaded Jin,and burned his boats when he had crossed the river. He then took Wangguan and Jiao.