get one's fingers burnt
To suffer relatively minor, adversive, and unexpected harm.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He got his fingers burnt after investing in that risky company.”
“After she got her fingers burnt by a bad business deal, she decided to be much more careful with her money.”
“Having once got his fingers burnt by an overly ambitious project, he now approaches every new venture with a healthy dose of skepticism.”
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abound in one's own sense
To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.
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ace up one's sleeve
A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.
- 03
act one's age
To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.
- 04
act one's age, not one's shoe size
Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).
- 05
afraid of one's own shadow
Exceptionally timid.
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air one's dirty laundry in public
To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.
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air one's dirty linen in public
Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.
- 08
albatross around one's neck
A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.
Last updated August 10, 2026