Once bitten, twice shy

Meaning: After a bad experience, one is much more cautious.

Example: “He lost money on crypto once and won't touch it now; once bitten, twice shy.”

Origin: The idea is of a person, or an animal, that stays away from what hurt it once. The rhyming form is recorded from the mid-19th century.

Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults

Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.

У тебя золотые руки (u tebya zolotye ruki) You're extraordinarily skilled — able to make or fix anything with your hands.
T'as pas inventé le fil à couper le beurre You're not exactly a genius — the wire to cut butter is about the most obvious tool imagi…
Tête de mule An impossibly stubborn person who refuses to change their mind no matter what.

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