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What Does "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" Mean?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

"Once bitten twice shy" is an idiom that is derived from an old English proverb. The general intent of the saying is to convey the concept that once an individual has been hurt in some manner, he or she is likely to be very cautious of any situation that contains elements of that previous bad experience. A similar saying, "once burned twice shy," conveys the same general sentiment, noting the caution that people will employ when facing a similar situation.

The imagery associated with the term usually conjures up a scene in which someone sustains a dog bite or a snake bite. Both types of bites can be extremely painful and leave emotional as well as physical scars. As a result, the injured party may be extremely cautious when around a dog or snake in the future, taking care to not do anything that would prompt another bite.

Someone bitten once by a snake might be particularly careful when around one again.
Someone bitten once by a snake might be particularly careful when around one again.

In general usage, "once bitten twice shy" can be applied to a number of scenarios. When referring to a romantic situation, someone who was deeply hurt in a previous relationship may be very reluctant to enter into a new one. This is especially true if the new person of interest exhibits certain qualities or habits that remind the injured party of that previously failed relationship. As a result, opportunities to start a relationship with someone new may be few and far between, until that old hurt is healed sufficiently that it no longer affects the perception of new potential partners.

A bite from a snake may be extremely painful and emotionally traumatizing.
A bite from a snake may be extremely painful and emotionally traumatizing.

At work, employees may be careful when interacting with a coworker who has caused difficulties in the past. Due to the past history, it may be considered wise to refrain from discussing certain matters or sharing information that is not directly relevant to carrying out some assigned task. Only once the co-worker has demonstrated his or her ability to not repeat the actions that caused problems in the past will others begin to let down their guard and be more accepting of that individual.

"Once bitten twice shy" may refer to a situation where a person may be careful when interacting with another who has caused difficulties in the past.
"Once bitten twice shy" may refer to a situation where a person may be careful when interacting with another who has caused difficulties in the past.

Generally, someone who is "once bitten twice shy" feels the need to move forward with a great deal of caution, at least until any fears surrounding that movement have been addressed and resolved. A natural predilection of human nature, it boils down to personal preservation, avoiding injury and hurt by taking into account what has happened in the past and using that information to avoid a repetition of undesirable events. In this manner, just about everyone has lived the concept, even if they have not actually used those words.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including LanguageHumanities, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

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Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including LanguageHumanities, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

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Discussion Comments

Soulfox

One of the hallmarks of people living in that concept is that they are hesitant to trust. You see this in the case of people who have been divorced all the time, for example. It is smart to exercise caution to avoid what experience has taught us can be hurtful lessons, but being too cautious can be toxic for personal relationships. In other words, a balance needs to be struck but how can people seek that balance if they are not fully aware of what is motivating their behavior and why?

Melonlity

That phrase conjures up images of more than just dog or snake bites -- shark bites entered the realm back in the 1980s when Great White turned that idiom into the title and subject matter of a hit single in the 1980s.

The point here is that what people visualize when they hear age old sayings can be modified greatly by the culture of the day. The meanings remain the same, but the imagery shifts over time.

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    • Someone bitten once by a snake might be particularly careful when around one again.
      By: Aleksey Stemmer
      Someone bitten once by a snake might be particularly careful when around one again.
    • A bite from a snake may be extremely painful and emotionally traumatizing.
      By: Remus Moise
      A bite from a snake may be extremely painful and emotionally traumatizing.
    • "Once bitten twice shy" may refer to a situation where a person may be careful when interacting with another who has caused difficulties in the past.
      By: MNStudio
      "Once bitten twice shy" may refer to a situation where a person may be careful when interacting with another who has caused difficulties in the past.