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Hunk Posted 20 years ago
Vocabulary

a bridge too far

"A Bridge Too Far" is a film made in 1977 and seems to evolve into an idiom; I've read it in several contexts but am not certain of its meaning. For example, the following article

http://www.washingtontimes.com/commentary/20040921-085104-7556r.htm

mainly talks about the difference between the assessments of White House and the European Intel Sevices; and why is it titled "A Bridge Too Far"? I'd appreciate it if someone could explain it to me.
  

Top answer

The neocon objectives for restructuring Iraq into a functioning model democracy were a bridge too far. They were never realistic. Basically, the idiom means over-extension of one's capabilities.

— Mister Micawber

  • The neocon objectives for restructuring Iraq into a functioning model democracy were a bridge too far.
  • They were never realistic.
  • Basically, the idiom means over-extension of one's capabilities.
  • ) failed-- it was too far and too much trouble.
  • Similarly, the Bush administration took too big a step (according to the Europeans) in trying to democratize Iraq.
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2 Answers
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The neocon objectives for restructuring Iraq into a functioning model democracy were a bridge too far. They were never realistic.
Basically, the idiom means over-extension of one's capabilities. In the movie, I believe, the team assigned to destroy the bridge (or bridges?) failed-- it was too far and too much trouble. Similarly, the Bush administration took too big a step
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Thanks, Mister Micawber.
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