twice shy

Borrowed from the original phrase once bitten twice shy but implying that the hurt has already occurred; now you are in the second, more cautious, shy stage.

Friend: How was your date?
You: Twice shy

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once bitten twice shy

orignally to dog bites, now means that once somebody has gotten hurt or had something go wrong will be afraid to try it again (especially in love)

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

elle was once bitten twice shy since her last relationship.

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once bitten twice shy

This is an abbreviated sentence:

Once your are bitten by a dog, you will be twice as shy about approaching that same dog again.

Metaphorically, the concept applies to more than just dogs. Such as cats.

"Once bitten twice shy, babe." -- bad 80's song.

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