1 [mass noun] care taken to avoid danger or mistakes:anyone receiving a suspect package should exercise extreme caution
[count noun]British an official or legal warning given to someone who has committed a minor offence but has not been charged, to the effect that further action will be taken if they commit another such offence:they let him off with a caution
warning:business advisers have sounded a note of caution
2 informal, dated an amusing or surprising person:‘You’re a caution, you are,’ she said
ზმნა
Universal
say something as a warning: [with clause]:the Chancellor cautioned that economic uncertainties remained [with direct speech]:‘Be careful now,’ he cautioned
[no object] (caution against) warn or advise against (doing something):advisers have cautioned against tax increases
[with object]British issue an official or legal warning to:he was cautioned for possessing drugs
[with object]British (of a police officer) advise (someone) of their legal rights when arresting them:having cautioned her, the police were ready to take her away for questioning
err on the side of caution
take a comparatively safe course of action when presented with a choice:it is better for a doctor to err on the side of caution and follow the most restrictive view of the law
throw caution to the wind (or winds)
act in a completely reckless manner:you may even throw caution to the wind and try one of our Mystery Trips
under caution
having been told of one’s legal rights when under arrest:she made a statement under caution
