caution
Careful behavior so that you do not have an accident, problem, or mistake.
The quality or practice of being careful in order to avoid danger, risk, or mistakes.
Words that warn someone about danger or a problem.
A warning or piece of advice that tells someone about possible danger, risk, or problems.
To tell someone to be careful because something may be dangerous or cause problems.
To warn someone about possible danger, risk, or problems, often in a careful or official way.
In British law, a formal warning from the police for a small crime, instead of going to court.
In some legal systems, especially in the UK, an official police warning given to someone who has committed a minor offense, which is formally recorded but does not involve a court trial.
In British law, for the police to officially warn someone for a small crime instead of taking them to court.
In some legal systems, especially in the UK, for the police to give someone an official caution instead of sending them to court.
Old-fashioned, mainly in US English: a person who seems very funny or unusual in how they act.
Old-fashioned, mainly US: a person who is amusing, surprising, or striking in their behavior, often in a lively or odd way.
- Base: caution
- Plural: caution, cautions
- Base: caution
- 3rd Person Singular: cautions
- Present Participle: cautioning
- Past: cautioned
a word of caution
1a brief warning or advice
A short warning or piece of advice about a possible problem or danger.
- A word of caution: the path gets very steep after the next bend.
- Let me add a word of caution before you sign the contract.
- She ended her talk with a word of caution about relying too much on technology.
treat with caution
1not fully trust; be careful
To be careful about believing or using something, because it may not be correct or safe.
- Early estimates should be treated with caution.
- Any information from unknown websites must be treated with caution.
- The survey results need to be treated with caution due to the small sample size.
urge caution
1strongly advise being careful
To strongly tell people that they should be careful.
- Officials urge caution as heavy rains are expected this weekend.
- Consumer groups are urging caution over the new banking app.
- Experts urge caution when interpreting these early results.
use caution
1be careful in a situation
To be careful in a certain situation so that nothing bad happens.
- Use caution when driving on wet or icy roads.
- Please use caution when operating this equipment.
- Campers should use caution when cooking over an open fire.
with caution
1in a careful, risk-avoiding way
In a careful way, so that you do not have an accident, problem, or mistake.
- These chemicals are dangerous and must be handled with caution.
- Investors are advised to proceed with caution in the current market.
- Use this tool with caution around children.
approach with caution
1Handle carefully because of risk
To be careful when dealing with something that could be dangerous or difficult.
- Police advised residents to approach the suspect with caution.
- Any new investment should be approached with caution.
approach with caution
2deal with something very carefully
To be very careful when you start to deal with something, because it may be difficult or risky.
- These claims should be approached with caution until more evidence appears.
- Investors are approaching the new cryptocurrency with caution.
- Any unfamiliar dog should be approached with caution.
exercise caution
1Act carefully to avoid danger
To be careful so that nothing bad happens.
- Drivers should exercise caution in icy conditions.
- We must exercise caution when handling chemicals.
exercise caution
2act in a careful, guarded way
To be careful in what you do, so that nothing bad happens.
- Parents are urged to exercise caution when sharing photos of their children online.
- The company told staff to exercise caution when opening email attachments.
- Hikers should exercise caution during stormy weather.
proceed with caution
1go forward carefully
Keep going, but be careful and slow so you don’t have problems.
- Drivers should proceed with caution in icy conditions.
- Please proceed with caution when entering the construction area.
proceed with caution
2continue but be very careful
To keep going or continue doing something, but in a very careful way.
- Drivers are advised to proceed with caution through the construction zone.
- We should proceed with caution until we know more about the risks.
- The researchers say policymakers must proceed with caution when using the data.
throw caution to the wind
2Ignore risk or danger completely
To do something without thinking about possible problems or danger.
- She threw caution to the wind and invested all her money in stocks.
- They threw caution to the wind and went on an unplanned trip.
throw caution to the wind
6act without caring about risk
To do something without worrying about danger, risk, or bad results.
- They threw caution to the wind and invested all their savings in the start-up.
- For one night she threw caution to the wind and stayed out dancing until dawn.
- He decided to throw caution to the wind and quit his job to travel.
err on the side of caution
1choose the safer option
To be more careful than necessary, so that you are safe, instead of taking a risk.
- Let’s err on the side of caution and bring extra supplies.
- When in doubt, it’s better to err on the side of caution.
- Doctors often err on the side of caution when treating new illnesses.
- Doctors often err on the side of caution when treating very young children.
- We decided to err on the side of caution and cancel the event due to the storm.
err on the side of caution
2choose the safer side
To do something in a safer way than necessary because you are not sure and want to avoid any risk.
- When in doubt, it’s better to err on the side of caution.
- The school decided to err on the side of caution and cancel classes during the storm.
- Doctors often err on the side of caution when treating very young children.