Once bitten, twice shy

Meaning

Hesitant to try again after a bad experience.

Usage

Used for caution following mistakes or risks.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Likely drawn from animal bites that make defenders wary.

Proverbial warning from the 17th century about learning from hurt.