burn one's fingers

[burn one's fingers] {v. phr.}, {informal} To get in trouble doing something and fear to do it again; learn caution through an unpleasant experience.

/He had burned his fingers in the stock market once, and didn't want to try again./

/Some people can't be told; they have to burn their fingers to learn./

Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms

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	experience ²⁶ {informal} ¹⁴⁰⁵ {v. phr.} ²¹⁸⁹

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	finger [finger] See: BURN ONE'S FINGERS, CROSS ONE'S FINGERS or KEEP ONE'S FINGERS CROSSED, LAY A ... A Dictionary of American Idioms cross one's fingers [cross one's fingers] {v. phr.} 1a. To cross two fingers of one hand for good ... A Dictionary of American Idioms get one's fingers burned [get one's fingers burned] See: BURN ONE'S FINGERS. A Dictionary of American Idioms slip through one's fingers [slip through one's fingers] {v. phr.} To escape without someone's knowing how. * /Policemen surrounded ... A Dictionary of American Idioms snap one's fingers at [snap one's fingers at] {v. phr.} To show contempt for; show no respect for; pay ... A Dictionary of American Idioms sticky fingers [sticky fingers] {n. phr.}, {slang} 1. The habit of stealing things you see and want. ... A Dictionary of American Idioms burn one's bridges [burn one's bridges] also [burn one's boats] {v. phr.} To make a decision that you ... A Dictionary of American Idioms


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