Lightning never strikes twice in the same place.

Understand the thought

Meaning in plain English

The saying denies lightning recurring at one place. Figuratively, it can reassure someone that an unusual event will not happen the same way again.

What the words are saying

Its literal claim is false: the National Weather Service identifies it as a myth and notes repeated strikes. That correction supports the weather point without establishing any individual event’s probability. A responsible figurative reading likewise does not promise that misfortune or success cannot recur.

Everyday example

A reader separates the reassurance image from actual weather evidence and from a prediction about a future event.

When to use it

Use it to explain the figurative reassurance with the literal myth explicitly corrected.

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Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.