Explaining "Once the poison, twice the charm"

Reviewed and edited by

Anwar Kareem 08/10/2024, 23:48

English.me team member

What does it mean?

The phrase "Once the poison, twice the charm" suggests that something initially harmful or unpleasant (the poison) can become beneficial or appealing (the charm) after a subsequent interaction or experience. It implies that initial negative experiences can turn into positive outcomes with time or repetition.

Tone

Optimistic

Origin

The phrase does not have a well-documented origin and appears to be a modern twist on the classical saying "once bitten, twice shy," suggesting a reversal where a negative experience might turn positive.

Examples of usage

After trying the spicy dish and suffering initially, Sarah found that she enjoyed the kick it gave and said, "Once the poison, twice the charm!"
When John first found his job stressful, he wanted to quit, but as he got used to it, he loved the responsibility and joked, "Once the poison, twice the charm."