caution

prudence, précaution

Attention portée à ce qu’on fait pour éviter les dangers, les dégâts ou les erreurs.

En anglais simple : Care taken to avoid danger, harm, or mistakes.

• Drive with caution on icy roads.
• She exercised caution before investing her savings.
• His caution prevented a serious accident.

Comment l'utiliser : with caution (Approach the dog with caution.)

Synonymes : care, carefulness, prudence

Contraires : recklessness

Expressions courantes : with caution, exercise caution, extreme caution

avertissement, mise en garde

Message qui signale un problème ou un danger possible.

En anglais simple : A warning about a possible problem or danger.

• She added a word of caution.
• The label includes a caution about hot surfaces.
• His cautions about the risks were ignored.

Comment l'utiliser : a caution about something (The guide offered a caution about strong currents.); a caution against doing something (The notice included a caution against swimming alone.)

Synonymes : warning

Expressions courantes : word of caution, caution about something, caution against something

avertissement policier

Avertissement officiel donné par la police pour une infraction, au lieu de faire passer la personne devant un tribunal.

En anglais simple : An official police warning given for an offence, instead of taking the person to court.

• The police gave him a caution.
• She received a formal caution for the offence.
• A second offence may lead to prosecution rather than another caution.

Comment l'utiliser : a caution for something (He received a caution for shoplifting.)

Synonymes : warning

Expressions courantes : police caution, receive a caution, formal caution

avertir, mettre en garde

Prévenir quelqu’un d’un danger ou lui conseiller d’être prudent.

En anglais simple : To warn someone about danger or advise them to be careful.

• The doctor cautioned me to rest.
• She cautioned him against spending all his money.
• Experts caution that the figures may change.

Comment l'utiliser : caution someone against doing something (She cautioned me against driving in the storm.); caution someone about something (He cautioned us about the slippery steps.); caution someone to do something (The officer cautioned us to stay back.)

Synonymes : warn, advise

Expressions courantes : caution someone against, caution someone about, caution someone to