discretion
gb/dɪskɹˈɛʃən/ us/dɪskɹˈɛʃən/
B2
Angličtina
~ 6800
Významy
0 významů
Podstatné jméno
B2
entity
1
freedom or power to decide
The power or freedom to choose what to do in a situation.
Vzorec užití:
at [someone]'s discretion
Častá chyba:
Learners sometimes confuse this meaning with the idea of being "discreet" (careful not to share private information). Here, "discretion" focuses on the freedom or power to decide, not on keeping secrets. Also, learners may incorrectly say *"in your discretion"* instead of the fixed pattern *"at your discretion"*.
Synonyma
choice (More general and everyday; does not always imply formal power or authority like "discretion" often does.)
Antonyma
obligation (Suggests something must be done and there is no freedom to choose, the opposite of having discretion.)
Kolokace
at your discretion
|at the discretion of [someone]
|leave [something] to [someone]'s discretion
|parental discretion
|viewer discretion
|judicial discretion
Témata
law
|business
|work
|society
|core_vocabulary
Příklady
- The final decision will be at the manager’s discretion.
- Teachers have some discretion in how they design their lessons.
- Refunds are given at the company’s discretion and are not guaranteed.
- Under the new law, sentencing is left to the judge’s discretion.
- Parents are encouraged to use their own discretion when allowing children to watch this film.
Učební příklady
- The coach will choose the team at his discretion.
- Employees can work from home at their manager’s discretion.
- The doctor used her discretion and kept him in the hospital.
- The school gives teachers some discretion over homework.
- Entry is free for children, but adults pay at the owner's discretion.
Podstatné jméno
B2
entity
2
care in keeping things private
The ability to keep things private and not say or do things that may hurt or embarrass other people.
Vzorec užití:
discretion in [handling something]
Častá chyba:
Learners often confuse "discretion" with "discrete". "Discretion" is a noun that can mean keeping things private or being careful with information. "Discrete" is an adjective meaning "separate" or "distinct." Another mistake is saying *"keep discretion"*; more natural phrases are "show discretion" or "act with discretion."
Synonyma
tact (Emphasizes sensitivity to other people’s feelings; "discretion" also stresses not revealing private information.)
Antonyma
indiscretion (Refers to speaking or acting carelessly, especially by sharing private or embarrassing information.)
Kolokace
with discretion
|the utmost discretion
|complete discretion
|show discretion
|handle [something] with discretion
|thank you for your discretion
Témata
social
|work
|emotions
|communication
|relationships
Příklady
- I trust you to handle this matter with the utmost discretion.
- Thank you for your discretion regarding my medical condition.
- The interview was arranged in complete discretion to avoid media attention.
- Because of the sensitive nature of the project, we expect total discretion from all staff.
- She showed great discretion by not repeating the rumor.
Učební příklady
- He did not talk about her problem out of discretion.
- The boss wants us to act with discretion about this plan.
- She used discretion and did not say his name.
- We must show discretion when we talk about patient information.
- I like his discretion; he never shares my secrets.
Podstatné jméno
C1
entity
3
ability to judge wisely
The ability to decide what is best to do by thinking carefully.
Vzorec užití:
use your discretion in [verb+ing]
Častá chyba:
Learners sometimes treat "discretion" here as if it always involved secrecy. In this sense, it is about wise judgment, not necessarily about keeping things private. Also, many learners forget to use the fixed phrase "use your discretion" and instead say unnatural things like *"do discretion"* or *"make discretion"*.
Synonyma
judgment (A very close synonym; "discretion" adds a stronger idea of carefulness and appropriateness.)
Antonyma
poor judgment (Describes bad or unwise decisions, the opposite of acting with discretion.)
Kolokace
use your discretion
|show good discretion
|sound discretion
|professional discretion
|exercise your own discretion
|reasonable discretion
Témata
thinking
|work
|character
|core_vocabulary
Příklady
- You can use your discretion in choosing which candidates to invite for a second interview.
- Our editors are expected to exercise discretion when selecting which stories to publish.
- The role requires someone with the discretion to balance customer needs and company policy.
- Please use your own discretion in deciding how much detail to include in the report.
- Doctors must show professional discretion when recommending treatment options.
Učební příklady
- You should use your discretion when you spend money.
- Teachers can use their discretion when they give extra help.
- He did not follow the rule exactly; he used his discretion.
- The manager told me to use my discretion about working from home.
- She showed good discretion when she chose a simple solution.
Podstatné jméno
formal
C1
entity
4
official power to decide
Official power, especially in law, to decide what to do in a case.
Vzorec užití:
[action] is at the discretion of [authority]
Synonyma
authority (Broad term for power to decide; "discretion" in this sense highlights flexibility in how that authority is used case by case.)
Antonyma
mandatory (In law, a mandatory rule leaves no room for discretion; the authority cannot choose another option.)
Kolokace
judicial discretion
|prosecutorial discretion
|administrative discretion
|at the court’s discretion
|at the discretion of the authorities
|broad discretion
Témata
law
|government
|business
|politics
Příklady
- Bail is granted at the discretion of the court.
- The new policy gives immigration officers greater discretion at the border.
- Sentencing guidelines still allow judges considerable discretion in individual cases.
- Prosecutorial discretion plays a major role in deciding which cases go to trial.
- Under the contract, bonuses are paid at the sole discretion of the company.
Učební příklady
- The length of the prison term is at the judge’s discretion.
- Police have some discretion when they decide to give a warning or a fine.
- The company keeps the right to change prices at its discretion.
- Teachers have limited discretion under the new school rules.
- The law gives the minister wide discretion in this area.
Gramatika
Slovníkový tvar
discretion
IPA
GB/dɪskɹˈɛʃən/
US/dɪskɹˈɛʃən/
Slabiky a přízvuk
dis - cre - tion (3 slabiky)
Stress on 2nd syllable (cre)
Tvary slova
Noun
- Base: discretion
- Plural: discretion
Příbuzná slova
Core family
discreet
adjective B2
discreetly
adverb
Related words
discretionary
adjective C1
Negative and opposite forms
Výrazy
at (someone's) discretion
1/ˈæt sˈʌmwˌʌnz dɪskɹˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
decided by a specific person
Used to say that one named person is free to decide what will happen.
Příklady
- Scholarships may be renewed each year at the university’s discretion.
- Use of the company car is granted at the manager’s discretion.
exercise discretion
1/ˈɛksɚsˌaɪz dɪskɹˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
use given judgment or freedom
To use your power or good judgment to decide what to do.
Příklady
- Officers are expected to exercise discretion when enforcing minor rules.
- Please exercise discretion when sharing client information outside the team.
leave (something) to (someone's) discretion
1/lˈiv sˈʌmθɪŋ tə sˈʌmwˌʌnz dɪskɹˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
let someone decide about something
To let another person decide what to do about something.
Příklady
- We’ll leave the exact starting time to your discretion.
- The budget for decorations is left to the committee’s discretion.
parental discretion is advised
1/pɚˈɛntəl dɪskɹˈɛʃən ˈɪz ædvˈaɪzd/
fixed phrase
warning for parents about content
A warning that parents should decide carefully if the content is OK for their children.
Příklady
- This film contains scenes of violence; parental discretion is advised.
- Some material may not be suitable for young viewers, and parental discretion is advised.
use your discretion
1/jˈuz jˈʊɹ dɪskɹˈɛʃən/
fixed phrase
make your own careful decision
Telling someone to decide for themselves what is best to do.
Příklady
- If the weather gets worse, use your discretion about cancelling the event.
- You can use your discretion when deciding how much detail to include.
discretion is the better part of valor
1/dɪskɹˈɛʃən ˈɪz ðə bˈɛtɚ pˈɑɹt əv vˈælɚ/
idiom
literary
caution is wiser than bravery
It is often smarter to be careful and avoid danger than to be brave and take a big risk.
Příklady
- He decided not to confront his boss; sometimes discretion is the better part of valor.
- He wanted to argue, but decided that discretion is the better part of valor and kept quiet.
- We chose to cancel the climb, believing that discretion is the better part of valor.
- Remember, discretion is the better part of valor—there’s no need to climb in that storm.
- She thought about confronting her boss, but chose to wait, believing that discretion is the better part of valor.
viewer discretion is advised
1/vjˈuɚ dɪskɹˈɛʃən ˈɪz ædvˈaɪzd/
fixed phrase
warning about possibly disturbing content
A warning before a TV show or video that tells people the content may not be suitable or may be upsetting for some viewers.
Příklady
- The program contains strong language, so viewer discretion is advised.
- The following program contains strong language; viewer discretion is advised.
- Before the violent scene, a message appeared on screen saying, "Viewer discretion is advised."
- Due to graphic images, viewer discretion is advised for this report.
- This documentary discusses sensitive topics; viewer discretion is advised for younger audiences.