Credit lost is a Venice glass broken.

The proverb likens a person’s lost credit to shattered glass: once others cease to trust someone, their good standing cannot simply be put back together. Credit here includes financial reliability but is not limited to it.

It warns that a breach of trust can leave lasting damage. Apologies or repayment may address what went wrong, but they do not necessarily return a person to the standing they held before.

Use it as a warning when someone’s actions risk undermining confidence in their honesty or reliability. It can also describe why making amends after a breach may not fully repair a damaged reputation.