“Cross That Bridge When You Come to It” is an idiom in the English language that people use in everyday conversation. You have likely used this expression yourself at some point, but many people don’t know its true meaning. Understand the meaning of this idiom, learn where it came from, and see some example sentences to help you use it in daily conversation.
Meaning of the Idiom
“Cross that bridge when you come to it” means not worrying about a problem until it actually happens. Instead of stressing over a potential issue, you wait to deal with it if and when it occurs.
Origin of the Idiom
This idiom likely stems from the practical idea of not preparing to cross a bridge until it’s directly in front of you. It emphasizes focusing on current matters rather than borrowing trouble from the future. The phrase has been in use since the 1800s and is commonly used to encourage others to stay calm and take things one step at a time.
Examples Sentences
1. Emma was worried about how she’d manage her workload if she got promoted, but her friend reminded her to cross that bridge when she comes to it and focus on the interview first.
2. Jason asked his manager about handling potential budget cuts, but his manager replied that they’ll cross that bridge when they come to it and, for now, should stick to the current plan.
3. Maria was anxious about what she would do if she didn’t get into her dream college, but her mom advised her to cross that bridge when she comes to it and focus on doing her best.
4. During their vacation, Lily started worrying about how much work would pile up while she was away. Her partner suggested they enjoy the trip and cross that bridge when they come to it.
5. The team discussed possible challenges with the new project, but their leader reminded them they’ll cross that bridge when they come to it and focus on getting started.
How to Use ‘Cross that Bridge When You Come to it’ in Everyday Conversations
Now that you know the meaning and origin of the idiom “cross that bridge when you come to it,” let’s see how you can use it in a real-world conversation.
Conversation 1:
Sarah and Mike are discussing the details of an upcoming event they’re organizing.
Sarah: What if it rains on the day of the event? Should we start arranging an indoor venue just in case?
Mike: We could, but let’s cross that bridge when we come to it. No need to worry about something that might not even happen.
Sarah: True, we can focus on it later if the weather forecast changes.
Mike: Exactly. For now, let’s stick to what we can control.
Conversation 2:
Jenny and Tom are planning a long trip, and Jenny starts thinking about all the possible problems they might encounter.
Jenny: What if we get delayed at the airport? Or what if we run out of cash while traveling?
Tom: We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. No need to stress about every little thing in advance.
Jenny: You’re right. I’m probably overthinking things.
Tom: Exactly. We can handle any issues as they come up.
Similar Idioms
- One Day at a Time
Meaning: This idiom means handling things as they come, without stressing about the future, similar to focusing on the present rather than anticipating future problems.
Example: She was worried about all her upcoming exams, so her friend advised her to take it one day at a time.
2. Don’t Borrow Trouble
Meaning: This phrase means not to worry about things that haven’t happened yet. It encourages people to avoid stressing over hypothetical problems, suggesting it’s best to focus on present matters instead of adding unnecessary worry.
Example: It’s easy to get anxious about things that might go wrong, but remember, don’t borrow trouble; just handle things as they come.
Idioms Starting From Letter C
Each and every letter of the English alphabet has hundreds of idioms. As in this post, we are talking about the idiom beginning with the letter C. There are many other idioms that also start with the ‘C’, which can be useful to you. We have gathered all the C-starting idiomatic expressions on a single page to make it easy for you to find the best and most useful idioms starting with the letter C.
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