twice

Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.

Prov. After being tricked once, one should be wary, so that the person cannot trick you again. Fred: Would you like a can of peanuts? Jane: The last can of peanuts you gave me had a toy snake in it. Fred: This one really is peanuts. Jane: Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.

See also: fool, shame

He gives twice who gives quickly.

Prov. When someone asks you for something, it is more helpful to give something right away than to wait, even if you might be able to give more if you waited. Morris didn't have all the money his sister asked for, but he sent what he had immediately, knowing that he gives twice who gives quickly.

See also: give, who

Lightning never strikes (the same place) twice.

Prov. The same highly unlikely thing never happens to the same person twice. Jill: I'm scared to drive ever since that truck hit my car. Alan: Don't worry. Lightning never strikes the same place twice. It's strange, but I feel safer since my apartment was robbed; I figure lightning never strikes the same place twice.

See also: lightning, never, strike

Once bitten, twice shy.

Prov. When something or someone has hurt you once, you tend to avoid that thing or person. Jill: Let's go ride the roller coaster. Jane: No, thanks. I got really sick on one of those once—once bitten, twice shy. I once sent in money for something I saw advertised in the back of a magazine, but the merchandise was of such poor quality I was sorry I'd bought it. I'll never buy anything that way again; once bitten, twice shy.

See also: once, shy

think twice (before doing something)

to consider carefully whether one should do something; to be cautious about doing something. You should think twice before quitting your job. That's a serious decision, and you should certainly think twice.

See also: think

think twice about someone or something

to give careful consideration to someone or something. Ed may be a good choice, but I suggest that you think twice about him. You will want to think twice about it.

See also: think

---

Lightning does not strike twice.

something that you say which means that a bad thing will not happen to the same person twice I know the crash has scared you, but lightning doesn't strike twice.

See also: does, lightning, strike

Once bitten, twice shy.

something that you say which means when you have had an unpleasant experience you are much more careful to avoid similar experiences in the future After he left her she refused to go out with anyone else for a long time - once bitten, twice shy, I suppose.

See also: once, shy

---

not think twice about something

to do something quickly without considering it very much With such a good offer from a buyer, I didn't think twice about selling the farm.

See also: think

think twice (about something)

to consider something more carefully You may want to think twice before buying one of California's new earthquake insurance policies.

Usage notes: often used as a warning, and sometimes used in the form think twice before doing something: He said he is sorry and will think twice before giving such advice again.

See also: think