a fox is not taken twice in the same snare; there are no birds in last year's nest; lightning never strikes twice in the same place
Proverb meaning that the same good luck or opportunity does not repeat itself; one should not expect the same success twice. Literally: 'there aren't always loaches under the willow tree.'
Just because it worked once doesn't mean it will work again—lightning never strikes twice.
去年の方法が今年も通用すると思うな。柳の下にいつも泥鰌はおらぬ。
Don't think last year's method will work this year too. There are no birds in last year's nest.
Standard kanji form of the proverb.
Variant with 何時も for いつも and 居らぬ for おらぬ; less common.
A traditional Japanese proverb. The literal image is of catching a loach (泥鰌) under a willow tree (柳) once, but not always finding one there again. The exact origin is uncertain.