Have you ever heard someone say something like “lightning never strikes twice” or “think twice before you speak”? These sayings might sound a little funny at first, but they actually have special meanings. These are called idioms. Idioms are phrases that don’t always mean exactly what the words say. Instead, they have meanings that people understand from how they’re used.
In this article, we’ll look at some idioms about the word ‘twice’ that people use in everyday life in the USA. They can help us sound more natural when we speak English. Learning idioms can also make reading books or watching shows more fun because you’ll start to understand these clever phrases when you hear them. Let’s explore 23 useful idioms about “twice” that many Americans use.
Idioms About Twice
1. Think Twice
Meaning: To consider something carefully before doing it.
Example Sentence:
- You should think twice before spending your birthday money.
- I thought twice before telling my friend the secret.
Other ways to say: Be careful, take a second look
Fun Fact/Origin: This saying reminds us to stop and think a second time before acting. It’s been around since at least the 1800s.
Usage: Used when giving advice or a warning.
2. Lightning Never Strikes Twice
Meaning: Something rare will not happen again the same way.
Example Sentence:
- Winning the lottery once was lucky—lightning doesn’t strike twice.
- He got out of trouble once, but lightning won’t strike twice.
Other ways to say: Don’t expect it again, rare things don’t repeat
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea that lightning usually doesn’t hit the same place again.
Usage: Used when something lucky or unlucky happens and may not repeat.
3. Once Bitten, Twice Shy
Meaning: After something bad happens, you’re more careful next time.
Example Sentence:
- After falling off her bike, she was scared to ride again. Once bitten, twice shy.
- He didn’t want to try the food again—once bitten, twice shy.
Other ways to say: Learn from mistakes, be extra careful
Fun Fact/Origin: This saying has been used since the 1600s.
Usage: Used after someone has a bad experience.
4. Catch Someone Twice
Meaning: To fool or trick someone again.
Example Sentence:
- He caught me twice with that prank.
- Don’t let your brother catch you twice.
Other ways to say: Trick again, fool again
Fun Fact/Origin: People say this to mean “don’t be tricked again.”
Usage: Used when someone falls for the same trick again.
5. Twice the Effort
Meaning: To work much harder than usual.
Example Sentence:
- She put in twice the effort to finish her science project.
- If you study with twice the effort, your grade will go up.
Other ways to say: Work extra hard, double the work
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom means you’re doing two times more than normal.
Usage: Used to show strong effort.
6. Twice the Trouble
Meaning: Something or someone causing more problems than expected.
Example Sentence:
- The twins were twice the trouble at the grocery store.
- Having two puppies is twice the trouble.
Other ways to say: Double the mess, even more trouble
Fun Fact/Origin: Americans often use this when talking about kids or pets.
Usage: Used when a situation is harder than expected.
7. Better Think Twice
Meaning: A warning to be extra careful.
Example Sentence:
- You better think twice before lying to your parents.
- He better think twice before skipping school.
Other ways to say: Watch out, think carefully
Fun Fact/Origin: A stronger version of “think twice.”
Usage: Often used as advice or warning.
8. Burned Twice
Meaning: Hurt or tricked two times.
Example Sentence:
- I was burned twice by the same company.
- She won’t try again after getting burned twice.
Other ways to say: Fooled again, tricked again
Fun Fact/Origin: “Burned” means hurt in a bad way.
Usage: Used to show frustration from being tricked or hurt more than once.
9. Don’t Make the Same Mistake Twice
Meaning: Learn from your past and don’t repeat your errors.
Example Sentence:
- He didn’t study and failed. He won’t make the same mistake twice.
- I forgot my homework once. I won’t do it twice.
Other ways to say: Learn your lesson, don’t repeat mistakes
Fun Fact/Origin: Common advice used in schools and sports.
Usage: Used when encouraging others to learn from their mistakes.
10. Twice as Fast
Meaning: Doing something at double the speed.
Example Sentence:
- She ran twice as fast as last time.
- We cleaned the house twice as fast with help.
Other ways to say: Super fast, double speed
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in sports and games a lot.
Usage: When comparing speed or improvement.
11. Twice the Fun
Meaning: Much more enjoyable than expected.
Example Sentence:
- Going to the park with friends is twice the fun.
- A birthday with pizza and cake is twice the fun.
Other ways to say: Even better, extra fun
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used in ads and by kids.
Usage: When something is way more fun than expected.
12. Don’t Get Fooled Twice
Meaning: Don’t let someone trick you again.
Example Sentence:
- The email was fake. Don’t get fooled twice.
- She learned not to get fooled twice by scams.
Other ways to say: Be careful, don’t fall for it again
Fun Fact/Origin: Common phrase in the USA for safety and awareness.
Usage: Warning about being careful next time.
13. Think Twice Before Speaking
Meaning: Pause and be careful with words.
Example Sentence:
- Think twice before saying something mean.
- He should’ve thought twice before yelling.
Other ways to say: Watch your words, speak kindly
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used in schools and homes.
Usage: To teach manners and kindness.
14. Strike Twice
Meaning: Something rare happens again.
Example Sentence:
- He found money two days in a row. Luck struck twice!
- It’s rare, but good luck can strike twice.
Other ways to say: Lucky again, hit again
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from “lightning strikes.”
Usage: Shows a lucky repeat.
15. See It Twice
Meaning: Watch or notice something again.
Example Sentence:
- That movie was so good, I saw it twice.
- He read the book twice to understand it better.
Other ways to say: Watch again, read again
Fun Fact/Origin: Shows how much someone enjoys or studies something.
Usage: For fun or learning.
16. Double Back/Twice Around
Meaning: Go back or check again.
Example Sentence:
- He went twice around the block to find the dog.
- She had to double back to get her phone.
Other ways to say: Go again, return
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used in sports or directions.
Usage: When someone returns or checks again.
17. Double-Take
Meaning: Look again because you’re surprised.
Example Sentence:
- I did a double-take when I saw the giant sandwich.
- He looked twice at the robot dog.
Other ways to say: Look again, surprised stare
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from comedy acts in the USA.
Usage: When something surprises you.
18. Twice in a Blue Moon
Meaning: Something that hardly ever happens—almost never twice.
Example Sentence:
- We go to the beach twice in a blue moon.
- He gets up early twice in a blue moon.
Other ways to say: Very rare, not often
Fun Fact/Origin: A “blue moon” means something rare.
Usage: For rare events.
19. Twice the Risk
Meaning: Something more dangerous than usual.
Example Sentence:
- Climbing in the rain is twice the risk.
- He took twice the risk by not wearing a helmet.
Other ways to say: Double danger, more risk
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used for safety tips.
Usage: For warning about danger.
20. Backfire Twice
Meaning: Something goes wrong again.
Example Sentence:
- His prank backfired twice.
- Trying to cheat on the test backfired twice.
Other ways to say: Go wrong again, fail again
Fun Fact/Origin: From car engines that pop twice.
Usage: Used when plans fail more than once.
21. Twice the Price
Meaning: Something costs much more.
Example Sentence:
- That phone is twice the price of mine.
- Lunch in that place is twice the price.
Other ways to say: Very expensive, double the cost
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in shopping talk.
Usage: Comparing costs.
22. Twice the Size
Meaning: Something is much bigger.
Example Sentence:
- His dog is twice the size of mine.
- That sandwich is twice the size I expected.
Other ways to say: Double the size, huge
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in food, pets, and clothes talk.
Usage: Talking about big things.
23. Twice the Work
Meaning: Much more effort is needed.
Example Sentence:
- Fixing the project took twice the work.
- Studying for two tests was twice the work.
Other ways to say: Extra effort, double the job
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in school and chores.
Usage: Talking about hard work.
Quiz: Idioms About Twice
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question. Each sentence uses an idiom with the word “twice.” Pick the meaning that fits best. Think about what the phrase means, not just the words.
Question Key
1. What does “Think twice” mean?
A) Say everything loudly
B) Think quickly and act
C) Stop and think carefully before acting
2. “Lightning never strikes twice” means:
A) Storms never happen again
B) Rare things don’t usually happen twice
C) People always get lucky again
3. What does “Once bitten, twice shy” mean?
A) You want to try something fun again
B) You’re more careful after something bad happens
C) You are happy after a good day
4. “Better think twice” is mostly used as:
A) A joke
B) A warning or advice
C) A bedtime story
5. If something is “twice the fun,” what does that mean?
A) It’s half as fun as before
B) It’s more fun than expected
C) It’s not fun at all
6. What does “Don’t get fooled twice” mean?
A) It’s okay to be tricked again
B) Don’t play games
C) Don’t let someone trick you a second time
7. “Twice the risk” means:
A) Something is two times more dangerous
B) It’s a lucky thing
C) You are winning twice
8. What does “Double-take” mean?
A) Look away quickly
B) Look twice because you’re surprised
C) Eat your snack two times
9. If something is “twice the price,” it means:
A) It’s cheaper
B) It’s two times more expensive
C) It’s on sale
10. What does “Backfire twice” mean?
A) Something fun happened
B) The same plan worked two times
C) Something went wrong again
Answer Key
- C – Stop and think carefully before acting
- B – Rare things don’t usually happen twice
- B – You’re more careful after something bad happens
- B – A warning or advice
- B – It’s more fun than expected
- C – Don’t let someone trick you a second time
- A – Something is two times more dangerous
- B – Look twice because you’re surprised
- B – It’s two times more expensive
- C – Something went wrong again
Wrapping Up
Idioms with the word “twice” can help you speak and understand English better, especially in the USA. These sayings are used in daily talk, books, and even on TV. Some mean “be careful,” and others compare things like price, size, or effort.
When you know what these idioms mean, you’ll start hearing them everywhere. They make speaking more fun and help you sound more natural. Just remember, idioms don’t always mean what the words say. But with practice, they become easier to learn and use.
