caution

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 [U] care that you take in order to avoid danger or mistakes; not taking any risks: extreme / great caution * Statistics should be treated with caution. * He could find himself making enemies as well as friends unless he proceeds with the utmost caution. 2 [C] (BrE) a warning that is given by the police to sb who has committed a crime that is not too serious: As a first offender, she got off with a caution. 3 [U,C] (formal) a warning or a piece of advice about a possible danger or risk: a word / note of caution * Some cautions must be mentioned-for example good tools are essential to do the job well. IDIOMS throw / cast caution to the wind(s) to stop caring about how dangerous sth might be; to start taking risks: He threw caution to the wind and dived into the water after the child. verb 1 ~ (sb) against sth