Once bitten, twice shy / fool me

Posted by SR January 28, 2005In reply to Once bitten, twice shy posted by Bob on January 28, 2005

what dose "once bitten, twice shy" mean exatly?

If you fall in love with someone and that someone rejects you--"once bitten"--you may be very, very reluctant--"twice shy"--to let yourself fall in love again.

It's sometimes rendered "once burned, twice shy." Same meaning.

Almost the same as 'Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me?"