get one's fingers burnt

Meanings:

• 1.

  Generalliteralneutral
  • To sustain a physical burn to one's fingers.

• 2.

  British EnglishIndian EnglishAustralian EnglishGeneralidiomaticinformal
  • To suffer relatively minor, adverse, and unexpected harm or loss as a result of taking a risk or becoming involved in a dubious transaction or scheme.