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Once bitten twice shy is when you do something and something bad happens because of it then you'll think twice to do it again.
It means that once someone has got hurt because of some means/ manner, one probably become very attentive or prudent of the similar previous situation/ experince.
When you've a problem or were hurt in a situation, you'll be more careful in the future. We've an arabic proverb with almost same meaning which is "اللي يتسلع من الشوربة ينفخ فى الزبادي", which literally means "The one who is burnt because of soup, he would puff the yogurt".
The literal image is that of someone reaching out to some kind of animal; you're a little afraid (shy) because you don't want to be bitten, but you try anyway, cuz it's a50-50 chance in your mind that you'll be bitten rather than accepted by the animal. Well, the darn critter bites you, so you grab your hand back and feel even more afraid to try petting an animal next time. Since your first experience ended with you being bitten, you're "twice shy" or "twice as afraid" of being bitten as you were originally. This phrase can be used figuratively for all sorts of situations--very often in love. Because you're afraid to have your heart broken by trying to love someone (50-50) originally, but after you've had it broken once, you're going to be even more afraid for the next time.
do not fall in the same mistake
it is a saying and said when you are frightened to do something again because you had an unpleasant experience doing it the first time
bad experience makes one more careful
It means if you were hurt or betrayed once, you will be more careful and skeptic next time, even in the situations that deserve trust.
In my native language they say: "Who was burnt by hot water will blow on milk". Same meaning.
