# 过河拆桥

guò hé chāi qiáo

Discard a helper after gaining the benefit

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Destroy the bridge after crossing

**Traditional Chinese:** 過河拆橋

**Register:** Critical · general

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Condemn betrayal of someone who helped.

Moving on amicably is different from betrayal.

## Understanding the expression

The bridge provides a way across the obstacle, yet the traveler destroys it once safely on the other side. The expression criticizes someone who benefits from help and then rejects, harms, or forgets the helper. Modern uses involve personal favors, business alliances, or professional support. It is morally charged because gratitude and trust are expected. Ending a partnership fairly is different from using a person and then denying what they contributed.

## Examples

别成功后就过河拆桥。

### Traditional Chinese

別成功後就過河拆橋。

bié chéng gōng hòu jiù guò hé chāi qiáo 。

Do not discard your helpers after succeeding.

他拿到合同便过河拆桥。

### Traditional Chinese

他拿到合同便過河拆橋。

tā ná dào hé tong biàn guò hé chāi qiáo 。

He abandoned his helpers once he won the contract.

她说公司裁掉引路人是过河拆桥。

### Traditional Chinese

她說公司裁掉引路人是過河拆橋。

tā shuō gōng sī cái diào yǐn lù rén shì guò hé chāi qiáo 。

She called dismissing the mentor an ungrateful betrayal.

我帮你不是为了被过河拆桥。

### Traditional Chinese

我幫你不是為了被過河拆橋。

wǒ bāng nǐ bú shì wèi le bèi guò hé chāi qiáo 。

I did not help you only to be discarded afterward.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E9%81%8E%E6%B2%B3%E6%8B%86%E6%A9%8B)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=139&webMd=1&la=0)

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