I. cau ‧ tion 1 /ˈkɔːʃ ə n $ ˈkɒː-/ BrE AmE noun
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: cautio , from cavere 'to be careful, be on guard' ]
1 . [uncountable] 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 antidepressants.
counsel/urge caution
Many parents are tempted to intervene, but most experts counsel caution.
treat/view something 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 (1)
2 . [countable] 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 . [uncountable and countable] British English a spoken official warning given to someone who has been ↑ arrest ed 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.
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COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ advise caution ( also counsel caution formal )
We advise caution if you are buying a property overseas.
▪ urge caution
Scientists are urging caution in research involving genes.
▪ exercise caution (=be careful)
Travellers are advised to exercise caution while travelling in remote areas.
▪ proceed with caution
You should always proceed with caution in financial matters.
▪ treat something with caution
The results of the survey should be treated with caution.
▪ view something with caution
At the moment investors are viewing the shares with caution.
■ adjectives
▪ great caution
Exercise great caution when handling toxic waste.
▪ extreme caution
Bears can be dangerous and walkers should proceed with extreme caution.
▪ the utmost caution
You are advised to take the utmost caution when buying a second-hand car.
▪ due caution formal (=the carefulness that is necessary)
An over-confident driver may overtake without due caution.
II. caution 2 BrE AmE verb
1 . [intransitive and transitive] to warn someone that something might be dangerous, difficult etc
caution (somebody) against something
Business leaders are cautioning against hasty action that would hamper flexibility.
caution (somebody) that
Officials were quick to caution that these remarks did not mean an end to the peace process.
caution somebody to do something
He cautioned them to avoid the forest at night.
2 . [transitive] British English
a) to warn someone officially that the next time they do something illegal they will be punished
caution somebody for (doing) something
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
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THESAURUS
▪ warn to tell someone about something bad or dangerous that might happen, so that they can avoid it or prevent it:
I warned you about sitting out in the sun too long.
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We were warned that there could be delays on the motorway, so we took another route.
▪ give somebody a warning to tell someone that if they continue to behave in an unsatisfactory way, they will be punished:
He’s already been given several warnings about handing in his essays late.
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The US gave a warning that if the hostages were not released, it would be forced to take military action.
▪ alert to officially or publicly warn people of possible danger so that they can prevent it or be ready to deal with it:
a campaign to alert people to the dangers of smoking
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An anonymous caller alerted the police that a bomb was due to go off.
▪ tip somebody off informal to secretly warn someone about something that is going to happen – used especially about warning the police about a crime:
The police found the drugs after being tipped off by local residents.
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Informants tipped the FBI off.
▪ caution formal to warn someone to do or not to do something in order to avoid a dangerous or bad result:
People are being cautioned against using credit cards abroad, in case of fraud.
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Health officials have cautioned the public to wash fruit thoroughly before eating it.
▪ forewarn /fɔːˈwɔːn $ fɔːrˈwɔːrn/ [usually passive] formal to warn someone about something that is going to happen, so that you are expecting it or ready for it:
We had been forewarned that the roads weren’t very good.