Definition
To experience negative consequences, especially financial loss, as a result of a poor decision or action, which serves as a deterrent against repeating it.
He invested in an unfamiliar market and got his fingers burned, suffering significant losses.
She invested in a startup that sounded too good to be true and got her fingers burned, losing a large sum of money.
After working with a dishonest contractor, they got their fingers burned, losing thousands of dollars and learning a harsh lesson.