IdiomAnimals
French
FrenchChat échaudé craint l'eau froide
Meaning: One bad experience makes you wary even where there is no danger.
Literally: A scalded cat fears cold water
Example: “Après son accident, elle refuse de remonter sur un vélo : chat échaudé craint l'eau froide.” — Since her accident, she won't get back on a bike: once bitten, twice shy.
English equivalent: Once bitten, twice shy
Origin: The point is the overcorrection — the cat has learned to fear water rather than heat, which is more caution than the lesson warranted. English keeps the same shape in once bitten, twice shy.
More French idioms
- Un cordon-bleu An outstanding cook.
- Il y a loin de la coupe aux lèvres Much can still go wrong between intention and result.
- Né avec une cuillère d'argent dans la bouche Born into wealth and advantage.
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- Un étouffe-chrétien Food so dense and stodgy it is hard to swallow.
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