wʌns ˈbɪtən twaɪs ʃaɪ
General
neutral
intermediate
- Literally:
- After being bitten once, one becomes timid
What does "once bitten twice shy" mean?
- A bad experience makes one more cautious
- Learning from past mistakes to avoid similar situations
Examples
- I won't invest in that sector again—once bitten, twice shy.
- She's once bitten, twice shy when it comes to relationships.
- Once bitten, twice shy—I'll never trust that company again.
Origin
From the natural reaction of avoiding what has caused pain. An animal bitten by another will be wary of similar situations.
How to use it
Explains caution based on past negative experiences. Suggests wisdom from experience.
Similar expressions
learn from experience
gun-shy
cautious after failure
Opposites
never learns
repeats mistakes
Related idioms
- actions speak louder than words
What people do is more important than what they say
- better safe than sorry
It's better to be careful and prevent problems than to take risks
- so far so good
Things have gone well up to now
- easier said than done
Something is more difficult to do than to talk about
- make a long story short
To summarize or get to the point
- to make matters worse
In addition to existing problems
Use it in a practice answer
Try "once bitten twice shy" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.