expression, ichidan verb
once bitten, twice shy
Proverb meaning that a bad experience makes one overly cautious, even toward harmless things. Literally: bitten by a snake, one fears a rotten rope (which resembles a snake).
詐欺に遭ってから、彼はどんな小さな投資話にも蛇に噛まれて朽ち縄に怖じるようになった。
After being scammed, he became once bitten, twice shy about even the smallest investment opportunities.
前の彼氏にひどく振られて、今は新しい恋に蛇に噛まれて朽ち縄に怖じる状態だ。
After being badly dumped by her ex, she's now once bitten, twice shy about new relationships.