I'm seeking a word or phrase that conveys a person's heightened caution or risk aversion regarding a task that stems from prior failure. Something like "gun shy," but perhaps more specific?
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2I think "gun-shy" is probably about as specific as you can get in a terse phrase.– Hot LicksApr 5, 2015 at 14:24
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risk averse or gun shy– DrewApr 5, 2015 at 16:26
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2 Answers
"Once bitten, twice shy."
"Older and (or but) wiser."
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The 'once bitten, twice shy' saying, apart from being elliptical (not a sentence), uses 'once' in the 'wrong' position. It's in the 'on a previous occasion' position but carries the 'a single time' sense. But 'bitten once ...' just wouldn't sound the same. Apr 5, 2015 at 13:34
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No; the 'bitten' references the past. 'Once there / Once we are there, we can rest' obviously doesn't. // It's an unusual usage is all that I'm saying. English is awash with them. Apr 5, 2015 at 14:02
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@EdwinAshworth - Regardless of how "improper" it is, "once bitten, twice shy" is a very familiar idiom in (US) English. It perhaps comes closest to the OP's desired meaning, but is a bit wordier than some alternatives. Apr 5, 2015 at 14:27
Circumspect - Unwilling to take risks as there may be danger involved.
Eg. The batsman was very circumspect in playing deliveries outside off-stump, having got away by edging a few early on in his innings. (You'd hear a lot of this in Cricket commentary.)
answered Apr 5, 2015 at 14:07
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We could also say the batsman was circumspect in his approach given his failure in the previous innings. Apr 5, 2015 at 14:10