- Meaning
- This idiom describes suffering a loss or harm due to a risky or ill-advised action, as if burning one’s fingers by touching something hot. It conveys the consequences of misjudgment, often used in financial, personal, or professional contexts to warn against reckless decisions. The phrase carries a tone of caution, regret, or learning, reflecting cultural values of prudence and the human tendency to learn from mistakes. Its tactile imagery evokes a painful lesson, resonating in scenarios like bad investments or failed ventures. The idiom emphasizes the cost of recklessness, making it a visceral metaphor for avoidable harm.
- Origin
- The phrase originated in 17th-century England, tied to literal burns from fire or cooking, extended metaphorically to risky endeavors, as noted in John Bunyan’s *The Pilgrim’s Progress* (1678). Its modern use emerged in the 19th century, with *The Economist* (1850s) using it for speculative losses. The idiom gained traction during economic booms and busts, amplified by financial journalism and literature, notably in Anthony Trollope’s *The Way We Live Now* (1875). Its adoption across English-speaking cultures stems from its vivid imagery and relevance to risk-taking.
- Variants
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- Burnt your fingers
- Burning your fingers
- Get your fingers burned
- Examples
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- He burned his fingers investing in that shady startup.
- Burnt your fingers, haven’t you, trusting that unreliable partner?
- Burning her fingers on a bad deal, she vowed to be cautious.
- Get your fingers burned if you meddle in their dispute.
- They burned their fingers by rushing into the risky merger.
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