English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Burn fingers
Meaning
The idiom "burn fingers" means to make a mistake or a blunder, often by not thinking carefully before taking action. It can also mean to regret an action that was taken without proper consideration. The figurative meaning is that just as one's fingers might get burned when they touch something too hot, one might suffer the consequences of a careless act.
Usage
- Sarah accidentally deleted all her important files and now she's burning fingers trying to recover them.
- I forgot to bring my umbrella and now I'm burning fingers walking in the rain.
- He rushed into the decision without doing enough research and now he's regretting it.
- She made a mistake on her exam that cost her an entire mark, and she's been burning fingers ever since.
- After finishing his project late, John realized that there were several crucial errors in his work and now he's burning fingers to fix them all. The usage of the idiom can vary depending on the context. It can be used in a more casual or informal setting or in a professional one. The intensity of the mistake or regret also affects how the idiom is used. For example, someone might say they are "burning fingers" if they made a minor error, while another person might use it to describe a major disaster.
Roots and History
The origin of this idiom is unclear, but it may have come from the idea of being so engrossed in something that one's fingers start to burn from the heat or the friction generated by typing on a keyboard. Alternatively, it may have come from the idea of feeling like one's brain is on fire after making a mistake. Over time, the idiom has evolved to take on a more metaphorical meaning, with the focus being on the consequences of one's actions rather than the physical sensation of burning fingers.
Synonyms in English
- Regret
- Mistake
- Blunder
- Error
- Obliviousness
Synonyms in other languages
- 犯错 (Fuò qù) - Chinese
- ניבוחן (Nevuachan) - Hebrew
- מאזות (Mezout) - Hebrew
- חדשה (Chodeshah) - Hebrew
- לגטרסון (Legterzun) - Yiddish