What does “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me” mean?
"Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me" means if someone deceives or tricks you once, it's their fault and they should feel ashamed. But if you let them deceive or trick you again, then it's your own fault and you should feel ashamed.
What context can I use the in?
Example
He fooled me once with his lies, but fool me twice, shame on me.
Example
I trusted her again after she betrayed me, but fool me twice, shame on me.
Example
I won't be fooled by his promises again, fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me
Is “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me” effectively in context?
You can use "Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me" to express the idea that if someone deceives or tricks you once, it's their fault and they should feel ashamed. However, if you allow them to deceive or trick you again, then it's your own fault and you should feel ashamed. For example, if a friend betrays your trust and you forgive them, but they betray you again, you might say, 'Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.'
- 1Trust
After he cheated on her once, she decided to end the relationship because she believed in the saying fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.
- 2Business
After being scammed by a dishonest contractor, he learned his lesson and vowed to be more cautious, remembering the phrase fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.
- 3Personal Boundaries
She had a habit of letting people take advantage of her kindness, but after being taken advantage of multiple times, she realized the importance of setting boundaries and embraced the saying fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.
Similar phrases to “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me”:
Similar to *fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me*, but specifically refers to being deceived or hurt by someone's actions.
Example
He betrayed her trust once, but she gave him another chance. When he betrayed her again, she realized that burn me once, shame on you; burn me twice, shame on me.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me" is uncertain. It is believed to have originated from an old proverb in the 17th century, but its exact origins are unknown.
Is “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me” common in everyday conversation?
The phrase "Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me" is quite common in everyday conversation. It is often used to emphasize the importance of learning from past mistakes and not allowing oneself to be deceived or taken advantage of repeatedly.
What tone does “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me” have?
"Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me" conveys a tone of caution and self-accountability. It implies that individuals should take responsibility for their actions and decisions, especially when it comes to trusting others.
Can “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me” be used in informal and formal settings?
The phrase "Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is a well-known proverb that can be used in various contexts, such as personal relationships, business dealings, or even in written communication.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
The phrase is commonly used as a complete sentence to convey its full meaning. However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Fool me once!' to imply being cautious and not easily deceived.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- learn from experience
- be cautious
- don't be fooled twice
- take responsibility for your actions
- be wary of repeating past mistakes
Antonyms
- trust blindly
- ignore past experiences
- be gullible
- repeat the same mistakes
- blame others for your own mistakes
