Once Bitten, Twice Shy 🐍
“Once bitten, twice shy” – One injury will make one extra cautious in the future. This proverbial saying appears to date from the mid-nineteenth century, although the idea is centuries older. William Scarborough’s version of Chinese Proverbs (1875) stated, “Once bitten by a snake in passing by, a second time he will of grass be shy.”
Related and Similar Terms
- Better safe than sorry: It’s preferable to be cautious rather than risk disaster.
- Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me: After being deceived once, one should be more vigilant and not fall for the same deception again.
- A burnt child dreads the fire: Having had a bad experience and being timid about repeating it.
- Look before you leap: Examine the risks before taking action.
- Once burned, twice shy: Another phrasing of the same idiom.
Antonyms
- Throw caution to the wind: Disregard caution.
- Take a leap of faith: Engage in something uncertain with hope.
- Bold as brass: Unhesitant and confident, often overly so.
Humor-Filled Quotes
- “After the first time I got sunburned racing sea turtles, I became surprisingly passionate about SPF 100 sunscreen!”
- “I enrolled in Salsa dancing classes and discovered both my left feet…” You only need one stumble to find yourself worshipping flat shoes.
Proverbs and Literature Suggestions
Proverbs:
- “Precaution is better than cure.”
- “Good fences make good neighbors.” (Robert Frost)
Books:
- “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee: Despite various forms of ‘biting’, it champions morality, recollection, and cautious progress.
- “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen: Displays characters wrestling with deception in romantic endeavors and learning from their mistakes.
Movies:
- “Groundhog Day”: Reliving the same day and learning from mistakes defines “once bitten, twice shy” on an eternal loop.
- “Home Alone”: Kevin McCallister gets much shyer about potential bitey home invaders.
Songs:
- “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor: A testament to learning, adapting, and moving on from past mistakes.
Poetry:
- “If—” by Rudyard Kipling: A cautionary tale wrapped in guidance dealing with life’s zingers.
### Which of these is a correct idiom meaning to be cautious after a negative experience?
- [x] Once bitten, twice shy
- [ ] Twice Bougainville, She Hiked
- [ ] Slap once, mask twice
- [ ] Tiptoe through the snide
> **Explanation:** "Once bitten, twice shy" accurately means to be cautious after a harmful experience. The rest? Fun, but fanciful.
### Choose the phrase that matches: 'Watch your step after a fall'
- [x] Look before you leap
- [ ] Take a gander before a blunder
- [ ] Examine the before thine gimble
- [ ] Swift feet 'cross pyrite retreat
> **Explanation:** "Look before you leap" conveys caution, closely akin to watching your step after a mishap.
### True or False: "Better safe than sorry" and "Once bitten, twice shy" imply taking precautions.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** Both idioms espouse carefulness and mitigating future risks after an unfortunate incident ("better safe than being the initiator of regret").
### Which idiom is similar to "Once bitten, twice shy"?
- [ ] Laugh once, groan thrice
- [ ] Bake once, eat thrice
- [ ] Fool me once, lunch time
- [x] Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me
> **Explanation:** "Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me" is in the same cautionary camp as "once bitten, twice shy."
### Does "a burnt child dreads the fire" imply cautious behavior?
- [x] Yes
- [ ] No
> **Explanation:** Absolutely. It closely parallels the sentiment of "once bitten, twice shy."
