# get one's fingers burnt

idiom

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

## Meaning

To suffer relatively minor, adversive, and unexpected harm.

## Examples

- 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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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.