caution

cau|tion¹ [ˈko:ʃən US ˈko:-] n

[Date: 1500-1600; : Latin; Origin: cautio, from cavere 'to be careful, be on guard']

1.) [U]

the quality of being very careful to avoid danger or risks

→↑cautious with caution

▪ We must proceed with extreme caution .

▪ The physician must exercise caution when prescribing anti-depressants.

counsel/urge caution

▪ Many parents are tempted to intervene, but most experts counsel caution.

treat/view sth with caution

(=think carefully about something because it might not be true)

▪ Evidence given by convicted criminals should always be treated with the utmost caution .

→err on the side of caution at ↑err

2.)

a warning or piece of advice telling you to be careful

▪ Although pleased, Henson added a caution that the team still has a long way to go.

word/note of caution

▪ A final word of caution - never try any of this without backing up your system.

3.) throw/cast caution to the winds

literary to stop worrying about danger and to take a big risk

▪ Throwing caution to the winds, she swung around to face him.

4.) [U and C] BrE

a spoken official warning given to someone who has been ↑arrested or who has done something wrong that is not a serious crime

▪ He was let off with a caution.

under caution

▪ The defendant may make a statement under caution.

caution ²

caution² v

1.) [I and T]

to warn someone that something might be dangerous, difficult etc

caution (sb) against sth

▪ Business leaders are cautioning against hasty action that would hamper flexibility.

caution (sb) that

▪ Officials were quick to caution that these remarks did not mean an end to the peace process.

caution sb to do sth

▪ He cautioned them to avoid the forest at night.

2.) [T] BrE

a) to warn someone officially that the next time they do something illegal they will be punished

caution sb for (doing) sth

▪ She was cautioned for speeding.

b) to warn someone officially that what they say to a police officer may be used as ↑evidence in a court of law