# burn one's fingers

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/burn-ones-fingers
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To harm oneself; to suffer consequences of one's actions.

## Examples

- He burned his fingers when he tried to fix the wiring himself.
- After losing money on that risky investment, he learned his lesson and will not burn his fingers again.
- Having burned his fingers in a previous political scandal, the senator now approaches every new policy with extreme caution.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.