once hurt, twice shy

Alternative form of once bitten, twice shy.

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Meanings

proverb
  1. alternativeAlternative form of once bitten, twice shy.
Cite this entry
APA

once hurt, twice shy. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/once%20hurt%2C%20twice%20shy

MLA

“once hurt, twice shy.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/once%20hurt%2C%20twice%20shy. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “once hurt, twice shy,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/once%20hurt%2C%20twice%20shy.

Source: once hurt, twice shy on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.